Did you know that up to 20% of knee replacements continue to have pain after surgery? Dr. Mathew believes that the cause of pain is often due to the exchange of bony pain for muscular pain with current traditional surgical approaches. Through his training in minimally invasive surgery and sports medicine background, Dr. Mathew wanted to provide his patients with a faster and less painful recovery while seeking a way to minimize trauma to the knee.
The Revolution Knee Technique provides a minimally invasive approach to knee replacements by allowing the Quadriceps muscle and tendon to remain intact throughout the procedure. Traditional surgical technique splits this large muscle, and despite the repair, the area of trauma continues to be a source of pain, complications (ruptures, dislocations, and perpetual pain), and dissatisfaction for patients. The “Rev” Knee technique uses a traditional incision but keeps the muscle intact, allowing movement of the knee without compromising muscle repairs or pain.
Using robotics, each patient’s alignment and movement is assessed. Robotic assistance provides a precise 3-dimensional analysis to ensure the proper size implant is selected for each patient. Along with sizing, the position of the implant is tailored to provide patients with a more normal feeling knee while correcting their painful abnormality. Robotic assistance also provides protection of soft tissue, which is another benefit.
As another measure to expedite recovery and decrease the source of pain, the Rev’s knee avoids the need for a tourniquet, which decreases muscle bruising and improves muscle activation without increasing the amount of total blood loss. This also reduces the risk of vascular injury by damaging compromised vessels and muscles.
Dr. Mathew addresses your incision with care to provide a cosmetically enhanced recovery. If applicable, he provides a plastic-like closure with sutures that are buried under the skin and a skin glue. If insurance allows, he also orders enhanced collagen dressings to decrease infection and improve the appearance.
Dr. Mathew also believes in addressing pain through a variety of pathways. Narcotic usage is limited, and many patients have recovered using pain medication sparingly. Dr. Mathew and his team also offer Iovera, a temporary freezing of the nerve to decrease pain and improve mobility during the first 90 days. Through the use of these advancements, patients have recovered from their knee replacements in half the amount of time, getting discharged from physical therapy within 6 weeks. They return to the activities they love and Rev back to the life they were missing.
