What is Muscle-Sparing Knee Surgery
In total knee replacement surgery, Dr. Ihekweazu replaces the damaged parts of your knee joint with artificial parts to stop the pain and help your knee work better if it’s damaged by arthritis or an injury.
As an expert in muscle-sparing total knee replacement in Houston, Dr. Ihekweazu uses a smaller cut on the skin instead of the bigger cut used with standard knee replacement techniques. Then, after making the incision, Dr. Ihekweazu does not cut through the quadricep tendon (a critical structure for quadricep muscle strength) to open the knee joint. By preserving the tendon, Dr. Ihekweazu preserves the quadriceps muscles and tendon, which helps speed up your recovery after the surgery.
When Muscle Sparing Knee Replacement Might Be Right for You
Dr. Ihekweazu recommends muscle sparing knee replacement in Houston for all people with severe knee osteoarthritis. Osteoarthritis is the most common kind of knee arthritis, where the cartilage in the joint slowly wears away.
In a normal knee joint, the cartilage helps the joint move smoothly. But in an arthritic knee, the cartilage becomes thinner or disappears completely. Also, the bones around the joint may become thicker and form bony “spurs.” All these things can cause pain and make it hard to move your knee.
Muscle sparing knee replacement is suggested if you have:
- Severe knee pain that stops you from doing everyday things (like walking, getting up from a chair, or climbing stairs).
- Constant knee inflammation and swelling.
- A deformed knee with missing cartilage and pain.
- An injury or broken knee.
- A knee that feels unstable.
- Moderate to severe pain that happens even when you’re resting or wakes you up at night.
- If other treatments like medicines, injections, and physical therapy haven’t helped with your symptoms.
Benefits of Muscle Sparing Total Knee Replacement in Houston
Muscle-sparing total knee replacement in Houston has several advantages over the traditional approach:
- Less cutting.
- Faster recovery.
- Shorter hospital stay.
- Less pain after surgery.
- Less blood loss.
- Smaller scar.
Patient testimonials
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Frequently Asked Questions
What does the muscle sparing approach avoid cutting?
Dr. Ihekweazu preserves the quadriceps tendon instead of cutting through it as standard technique requires. Protecting that tendon maintains thigh strength, reduces pain, and shortens your rehabilitation timeline after knee replacement in Houston.
How long is the hospital stay with muscle sparing knee replacement?
Most patients go home the same day or after a single night, far shorter than traditional technique. Reduced muscle trauma also means less blood loss and a smaller, tidier scar.
Is muscle sparing knee replacement suitable for severe arthritis?
Yes. Dr. Ihekweazu recommends it for nearly all patients with advanced knee osteoarthritis, including those with deformity, bone spurs, instability, and constant swelling that has not improved with injections or therapy.
What should I expect during the first week after surgery?
Expect swelling, guided walking with a walker, regular icing, and gentle daily range of motion work. Because the quadriceps stays intact, most patients regain leg control quickly during that first week.
Does muscle sparing knee surgery reduce my need for pain medication?
Generally yes. Less soft tissue trauma usually means milder pain after surgery, so many patients move to over the counter medication quickly. Your Houston care plan includes a personalized multimodal pain strategy.
Schedule Your Appointment Now!
Muscle-sparing total knee arthroplasty in Houston, TX, is a new and better way to replace your knee joint than traditional surgery. It helps you recover faster and get better results. Call (713) 799-2300 today to schedule an appointment.