I’m trying to make a decision about having a partial knee replacement. The surgeon has explained the two methods that can be used: open incision or minimal incision. I’m a little hung up on the fact that the smaller incision operation takes longer. Are the benefits of a smaller scar worth the extra time and cost?

Minimally invasive surgery (MIS) has become more and more popular with patients and surgeons. Besides the obvious improvement in the scar, there are other benefits as well.

Smaller surgical tools are used in MIS. The surgeon is guided by a computerized navigational system. It isn’t necessary to cut through so much of the soft tissues. This means recovery is generally faster. Patients regain full function sooner than with the standard open incision method.

The operating time is usually longer using the navigation system compared to the conventional manual method. But the added amount of time is small — only an extra 10 minutes of time is added on.

And experts agree that the extra time is worth it when it comes to the added information the navigational system provides. The surgeon can use this data to choose the best implant for you and make the necessary anatomical adjustments during the operation.