Jennifer Matthews: Peggilou Flick likes to keep things simple -- even when it comes to her name.

Peggilou Flick: In high school, I got so lazy, I decided I didn't want to make a capital L, so I combined them both. That's the way I am.

Jennifer Matthews: So when an injury forced her to have a total knee replacement, she looked for the easiest approach available -- minimally-invasive surgery.

Peggilou Flick: I said, 'Me. I'm for it.' Anything for, you know, less pain.

Jennifer Matthews: Instead of cutting through the muscle, Doctor David Dore simply moves it over.

Dr. David D. Dore: We're coming underneath the muscles and moving stuff out of the way to get to the knee joint itself.

Jennifer Matthews: The less-invasive approach allows for less than a five-inch incision, instead of up to twelve inches. Special instruments are needed fit inside. It's also less painful, so patients are back on their feet more quickly. Millie hyde had the surgery eight days ago.

Millie Hyde: There's no pain in the knee, now, at all.

Dr. David D. Dore: What I would expect a six-week patient to look like, they're now looking that way at a week or two.

Jennifer Matthews: Studies show patients who have the minimally-invasive surgery have a better range of motion.

Dr. David D. Dore: And the invariable comment is, 'My gosh, I should have done this years ago.'

Jennifer Matthews: Just five weeks after her surgery, Peggilou is back to being active.

Peggilou Flick: People I talked to who had the other surgery, that wasn't less-invasive, they said, 'Oh, how lucky you are.' I said, 'I know.'

Jennifer Matthews: Luck her knees appreciate. This is Jennifer Matthews reporting.