JIFFY KNEE

What is The Jiffy Knee?

The Jiffy Knee is a new technique to implant a total knee replacement. The Jiffy Knee technique was developed to minimize trauma to the muscles, tendons and ligaments of the knee.

What Makes the Difference for the Patients?

Our patients feel the difference in the recovery process. The muscles and tendons aren't cut because the entire approach is from the medial side of the knee instead of the traditional straight anterior approach (see above). There is minimal undermining of the skin flaps and no scarring that occurs on the anterior aspect of the knee, which is under tension as the knee bends. To experience this, place your hand on the front of your knee and bend it, then place your hand on the medial side of the knee and bend it again, do you feel the difference?

As well, intra-operatively, I do not use a tourniquet which contributes to significantly less postoperative pain. Lastly, I utilize intra-operative computer navigation to precisely align components based on each patients' anatomy.

The Patient Benefits of Jiffy Knee

It still is a Total Knee Replacement.

Compared to a traditional midline knee approach:

• Less Pain
• Less Swelling
• Less Narcotic use (most patients need just one post op rx)
• Off ambulatory aids quicker (average 7 days)
• Driving quicker (average 10 days)
• Quicker return to work and recreational activities
• Quicker gains in range of motion
• Less patellar tracking problems
• Overall a much more pleasant outcome and post op course
• No additional costs or upcharges
• Time neutral for me in the OR compared to standard (50 min)
• This is a standard TKR as far as insurance coverage is concerned
  

Final Thoughts on the Jiffy Knee Technique

Dr. Kavanaugh has been doing knee replacements for over 20 years and have successfully preformed over 6,000 cases. The recovery process has always been a challenge for these patients. With the Jiffy Knee, I finally have found a technique that makes the recovery process much more pleasant and doable for patients. Gone are the days of our patients experiencing agonizing pain that would render them immobile for weeks after the surgery. Gone is the massive post operative swelling and stiffness around the joint. Gone are the days where the quadriceps shuts down and atrophies after surgery. Much like an Anterior Total Hip Replacement, early mobilization is the norm with the procedure. Our patients are more active, early on, in the rehabilitation process when it improves our outcomes and reduces the need for narcotics. Early mobilization also decreases the risk of DVT.

Because of the benefits that the Jiffy Knee replacement technique provides, patients who may have previously delayed having traditional anterior approach knee replacement surgery because of fear, anxiety and uncertainty now have a less painful option. My clinical team and I are excited to offer this game changing knee replacement technique to patients in Arizona and beyond. Any patient that would be a candidate for traditional knee replacement is a Jiffy Knee candidate.