Background: Total knee arthroplasty (TKA) is a common orthopedic procedure aimed at alleviating pain and restoring function in patients with knee osteoarthritis. The choice of surgical approach can significantly impact postoperative outcomes, particularly in terms of recovery speed and pain management.

Methods: This summary synthesizes findings from multiple studies comparing the subvastus (SV) and medial parapatellar (MPP) approaches in TKA. The focus is on early functional outcomes, including quadriceps strength recovery and pain reduction.

Results: Patients undergoing TKA via the SV approach demonstrated a quicker return of quadriceps strength and slightly better pain scores in the immediate postoperative period. Specifically, a 0.8-point improvement in pain scores (95% CI 0.22 to 1.35) was noted in favor of the SV approach compared to the MPP approach.

Conclusion: The SV approach to TKA offers advantages in terms of faster postoperative recovery, particularly with regard to quadriceps strength and pain management. These benefits highlight the role of tissue-sparing surgical techniques in enhancing patient outcomes after knee arthroplasty