Introduction: The aim of this study is to assess the safety and efficacy of initial results seen with minimally invasive techniques in navigator-assisted TKR.

Materials and methods: A consecutive series of 50 TKRs with the same model are included in the study. These were carried out by the same surgical team, using a standardized navigator-assisted technique and a minimally invasive “midvastus” approach. Follow-up was from 3 to 24 months. The efficacy of the procedure is studied by assessing preoperative and early postoperative pain and mobility, final alignment obtained and safety, based on any subsequent complications.

Results: Decrease of pain was seen in 49 patients, with a range of movement from 0° to 110° in 47 patients. There were no significant complications such as infection or thromboembolism. There were no alignment (varus/valgus) alterations on the frontal plane greater than 3°, nor relevant alterations on the sagittal plane. Complications with surgical wound healing were seen in 3 cases; these did not require special procedures; 9 cases had slight and transient pain in the proximal area of the surgical wound.

Conclusions: Initial results allow us to consider that the technique studied is effective and safe. However, we have detected problems with pain of doubtful etiology in the proximal part of the surgical wound while healing. We believe that the use of a navigator ensures greater safety in the use of minimally invasive techniques and provides a spatial view of the knee joint.

(*) This study is part of a study financed by the Fund for Health Research of the Biomedical and Health Sciences Promotion Program (Spanish Ministry of Health and Consumption) (File PI05-1065)(Fondo de Investigaciòn Sanitaria del Programa de Promociòn de la Investigaciòn Biomédica y en Ciencias de la Salud (Ministerio de Sanidad y Consumo) (Expediente PI05– 1065)