Jiffy Knee® Replacement

Jiffy Knee® Replacement in Denver, Westminster and Golden, CO

Jiffy Knee® is a muscle- and tendon-sparing approach to total knee replacement. Instead of cutting the quadriceps tendon or the vastus medialis oblique (VMO) muscle to reach the knee joint, the surgeon lifts and slides the muscle aside, so only the skin and joint capsule are cut. It is designed for people with knee arthritis who need a knee replacement and want a less invasive option.

Dr. Micah Adamson, a fellowship-trained, board-certified orthopedic surgeon who specializes in hip and knee replacement, was the first surgeon in Colorado to perform the Jiffy Knee® replacement. He sees patients at Orthopedic Centers of Colorado in Golden and Westminster.

What Is Jiffy Knee®?

Jiffy Knee® is a knee replacement technique that focuses on preserving the muscles and tendons around the knee. According to the Jiffy Knee® program, surgeons use special instruments and techniques to lift and slide the quadriceps muscle out of the way, rather than cutting it.

Total knee replacement is a very successful surgical treatment for knee arthritis. Over the years, minimally invasive techniques such as this muscle- and tendon-sparing approach have been developed to lessen tissue trauma and improve patient outcomes.

How Jiffy Knee® Differs From Traditional Knee Replacement

The main difference is how the surgeon reaches your knee joint. In a traditional knee replacement, many surgeons cut the quadriceps tendon to access the joint and stitch it back together at the end of surgery. The quadriceps tendon is a key structure you rely on for walking and climbing stairs after a knee replacement.

• Traditional approach: An incision of about 10 to 12 inches, with the quadriceps tendon cut to expose the knee joint.
• Muscle- and tendon-sparing approach: Smaller incisions of about 4 to 6 inches, with the quadriceps muscle and tendon spared from being cut.
• Jiffy Knee® technique: The quadriceps and VMO muscles are not cut. The muscle is lifted and slid aside, and only the skin and joint capsule are cut.

Potential Benefits of Muscle- and Tendon-Sparing Knee Replacement

Because the quadriceps muscle and tendon are spared and the incisions are smaller, fewer tissues are cut, which can support quicker healing and recovery.

Potential advantages of minimally invasive knee replacement include:

• Minimal surgical dissection
• Reduced postoperative pain
• Shorter hospital stay
• Shorter recovery period

Every patient is different, and results vary. Dr. Adamson will discuss what you can realistically expect based on your knee, your health, and your goals.

Who May Be a Candidate for Jiffy Knee®?

Jiffy Knee® is a technique for total knee replacement, so it may be an option if knee arthritis has led you and your surgeon to consider a knee replacement. Whether this approach is right for you depends on a personal evaluation. Dr. Adamson will review your symptoms, medical history, examination, and imaging to recommend the knee replacement approach that best fits your needs, which may include Jiffy Knee®, robotic-assisted knee replacement, or partial knee replacement.

What to Expect From Jiffy Knee® Surgery

Knee replacement surgery is performed in a sterile operating room under spinal or general anesthesia. During the procedure:

• You lie on your back, and the knee joint is reached through a smaller incision while the quadriceps muscle and tendon are spared.
• The damaged surfaces of the thighbone (femur) and shinbone (tibia) are removed and replaced with implant components, with a plastic insert placed between them to create a smooth gliding surface.
• The back of the kneecap (patella) is prepared so it glides smoothly over the new knee.
• Your new knee is tested through its range of motion, the joint is cleaned with a sterile solution, and the incision is closed and covered with a surgical dressing.

With less tissue damage around the knee, the goal is a shorter hospital stay and a faster recovery than with traditional surgery. Dr. Adamson and his team will give you specific instructions for your recovery and rehabilitation.

Why Choose Dr. Adamson for Jiffy Knee®?

• First in Colorado: Dr. Micah Adamson is the first surgeon in Colorado to perform the Jiffy Knee® replacement.
• Hip and knee specialist: He is a fellowship-trained, board-certified orthopedic surgeon who specializes in hip and knee total joint replacement.
• A full range of knee options: He also performs robotic-assisted total knee replacement and partial knee replacement, so your treatment can be matched to your knee.
• Professional memberships: Dr. Adamson is a member of the American Association of Hip and Knee Surgeons (AAHKS) and the American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons (AAOS).
• Established local practice: He has been with Orthopedic Centers of Colorado, formerly Cornerstone Orthopedics, since 2021.

Schedule a Jiffy Knee® Consultation With Dr. Adamson

If knee pain is limiting your daily life and you want to learn whether a muscle- and tendon-sparing knee replacement is right for you, schedule a consultation with Dr. Micah Adamson.

Request an Appointment

Learn more about the Jiffy Knee® program at jiffyknee.com.

If you would like to have additional information on knee treatments or would like to learn more about robotic-assisted knee replacement surgery, please contact Dr. Adamson, serving the communities of Colorado.