Total Knee Arthroplasty (TKA): Step-by-Step Surgical Photo Tour • Step 3 of 24
Surgical Step Description
The medial border of the extensor retinaculum is identified using the posterior surface of the scalpel blade. One clean sweep is made superiorly and one inferiorly, elevating a thick, vascularized flap of subcutaneous tissue.
Master Class Pro-Tip: Intraoperative Pearl
Maintain the full thickness of subcutaneous fat attached to the skin flap rather than dissecting in a superficial plane. Preserving the deep subdermal vascular plexus is the primary defense against skin bridge necrosis and delayed wound healing.
Master Class Pro-Tip: Subcutaneous Flap Preservation & Vascular Envelope
Curator & Series Attribution
Curated by Dr. Joseph Bernstein, MD (Director of Education) • Managing Editor: Dr. Christian Veillette, MD • OrthopaedicsOne Surgical Education Series • Adult Reconstruction: Knee
Last Updated on September 28, 2026
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