Mercy Hospital's Live Surgery Webcast Will Feature Mini-Incision Surgery for Total Knee Replacement

Mercy Hospital's surgical team will showcase a new advanced technique for total knee replacement (TKR), during a live webcast on Tuesday, Oct. 28, 2003, at 5 p.m. EST. Because of its minimally invasive nature this procedure's recovery time has been reduced to 50 percent of the recovery associated with a conventional knee replacement procedure. Cutting into the muscle is minimal, and there is less blood loss, pain and fewer complications.

The mini-incision TKR allows patients to substantially improve their quality of life by eliminating pain, regaining more mobility and improved range of motion. Patients are on their feet just hours after surgery and begin aggressive physical therapy the same day their procedure is completed. Another advantage of this new technique is a shorter length of stay in the hospital (less than 3 days). The minimally invasive surgery technique uses a smaller incision, therefore leaving a smaller scar: 4-5 inch vs. an 8-10 inch incision.

Carlos J. Lavernia, MD, FAAOS, medical director of the Orthopaedic Institute at Mercy Hospital, will lead a surgery team in performing the procedure during the live Internet broadcast using an implant and instrumentation that he helped develop along with other surgeons.

Log on to: www.or-live.com/mercyhospital/1143