As a minimally invasive procedure, total joint arthroplasty has been making headlines. Given the demand for new joints - hundreds of thousands of knee and hip replacement surgeries are performed in the United States each year - the patient population undoubtedly exists. Plus, the procedure's benefits are obvious. If you can recover faster, with a significantly smaller incision, less muscle and tendon trauma and less pain - why wouldn't you choose a minimally invasive over a conventional joint replacement?