Minimally invasive total knee arthroplasty improves early knee strength but not functional performance: a randomized controlled trial

44 patients were randomized to assess the effectiveness of minimally invasive surgical (MIS) TKA compared to a conventional technique over the early postoperative period. Patients awaiting a primary, unilateral knee arthroplasty for osteoarthritis received either MIS TKA (n = 22) or conventional TKA (n = 22). At four weeks, the MIS group showed better hamstring and quadriceps strength; however, there were no clinically meaningful differences between groups on any measure at 12 weeks.