Effectiveness of Minimally Invasive Total Knee Replacement in Improving Rehabilitation and Function

Osteoarthritis (OA) is a long-term degenerative joint disease that disables about 10% of people over the age of 60 and compromises the quality of life of more than 20 million Americans. A procedure called total knee arthroplasty (TKA), in which the affected surface of the knee joint is replaced by plastic or metal, has been successful in restoring comfort and mobility to formerly arthritic joints. This study will compare quadriceps muscle strength, knee range of motion, and pain in people who have had a traditional TKA with those who have had a minimally invasive TKA.