Minimally invasive versus conventional joint arthroplasty

With an aging population, as well as a heightened interest in physical activity, the demand for surgical treatment of osteoarthritis of the knee, hip, and shoulder has continued to expand. This demand traditionally has been met with total joint replacements as the definitive treatment. However, with the development of newer, minimally invasive techniques, patients are being offered a greater variety of options for pain relief and improvement in function. These surgical options, varying widely from arthroscopic treatment to partial joint replacements, have been met with mixed results as they have been applied to the treatment of osteoarthritis. Although they are limited in their application and target population, minimally invasive procedures may greatly enhance the outcome of the patient, as well as prevent or delay the need for future total joint arthroplasty. The purpose of this article is to review minimally invasive surgical options for the treatment of osteoarthritis of the hip, knee, and shoulder. We also examine their appropriate application, limitations, clinical outcomes, and associated complications. A brief review of total joint arthroplasty for the aforementioned joints has been included to provide a comparison of the associated clinical outcomes and surgical complications.