MIS Total Knee Arthroplasty with the Limited Medial Parapatellar Arthrotomy

Minimally invasive (MIS) total knee arthroplasty (TKA) has become a popular procedure with surgeons using a variety of surgical exposures including the limited medial parapatellar arthrotomy, also known as the limited quadriceps-splitting approach; the midvastus approach; the subvastus approach; and the quadriceps-sparing approach.1 The limited medial parapatellar arthrotomy is a versatile approach that can be easily converted to a traditional approach if necessary. Advantages of this technique include diminished postoperative morbidity, less postoperative pain, decreased blood loss, and an earlier functional recovery.2–5 However, while limiting the exposure in MIS, the integrity of the TKA must not be compromised. Following specific guidelines in patient selection and surgical technique, the clinical outcome can be predictable.