Mini-Midvastus Versus Mini-Medial Parapatellar Approach for Minimally Invasive Total Knee Arthroplasty: Outcomes Pendulum Is at Equilibrium

Comparisons between mini-midvastus (mMV) and mini-medial parapatellar approach (mMPP) for total knee arthroplasty (TKA) have reported variable results. We compared two approaches with minimum two year follow up. Forty consecutive patients who underwent staged bilateral TKA were prospectively randomized for mMPP approach in one knee and mMV approach in the other. Clinical parameters (muscle strength, pain, ROM, Knee Society Score) and surgic.l parameters (duration of surgery, blood loss, lateral releases) were assessed at 2, 6, 12 weeks and 6, 12, 24 months postoperatively. Clinical outcomes revealed inconsistent pattern of differences at various intervals. Surgical outcomes were not different. There were no major differences in outcomes between the two approaches. We recommend someone use surgical approach with which they are most familiar.