ICON Physicians are pleased to offer the latest minimally-invasive surgical techniques for total hip replacement surgery. These include both the one or two incision approaches where the surgeon implants the prosthetic device through one or two openings of 1.5 to 4 inches each.

These small incisions offer several advantages over traditional, open procedures. Patients experience less pain and scarring; the small incisions cause less trauma to surrounding muscles and tissues; patients are usually up and walking the day of or day after surgery; and patients leave the hospital sooner, most returning to work and moderate activities within weeks, rather than months.

The new prosthetics, designed with newer materials, are now lessening the need for revision or replacement of previous joint prosthetics. Minimally-invasive total hip replacement surgery may not be appropriate for all patients, and physicians must have special training in these new techniques.

The ICON physicians, as part of Desert Regional Medical Center’s trauma center, have subspecialty expertise in the treatment of complex pelvic trauma.

For more information, call 760-416-4511.

Minimally-Invasive Total Knee Replacement

With the advent of newer technology and minimally-invasive techniques, total knee replacement surgery can now be accomplished through an incision 3-5” long as opposed to the traditional method requiring an 8-10” incision.

These newer techniques also no longer involve the cutting of muscles and tendons surrounding the knee joint. Previous surgery for knee replacement involved cutting those muscles which control the movement of the knee and led to most of the pain experienced during recovery.

The benefits of these new, minimally-invasive and muscle-sparing techniques include less damage and trauma to tissue; less blood loss; less scarring; less pain; and a faster recovery and return to normal activities.

Using minimally-invasive techniques require your physician to have specialized training. Since the success of any surgery depends on the physician performing that surgery, it is recommended that you ask your physician about his or her minimally-invasive surgery experience.