What Are Knee Replacement Implants Made of?

Knee replacement may be an option when medications, physical therapy, and non-surgical interventions such as the use of crutches or other mobility aids no longer help relieve pain. Other possible signs include joint pain followed by a period of relative relief; pain after heavy use; loss of mobility; joint stiffness after prolonged inactivity or rest; and/or pain that seems to increase in wet weather. Next, the knee replacement prosthesis supplier will share the following content with you.

Your PCP may refer you to an orthopedic surgeon who will help you determine when/if knee surgery is needed and what type of knee surgery is most appropriate. Your surgeon may decide that knee replacement surgery is not appropriate if you have an infection, insufficient bone, or insufficient bone strength to support an artificial knee.

Doctors will usually try to delay total knee replacement to support minimally invasive treatment. That said, if you have advanced joint disease, knee replacement may offer the opportunity to relieve pain and return to normal activity.

 Knee Replacement Prosthesis

What are knee replacement implants made of?

The selection of knee replacement prosthesis design and materials depends on each individual patient. The main implant components are made of metal – usually titanium or chrome-cobalt alloys. The implants are fixated in place either with a cement bonding agent or by osseointegration, in which a porous metal stem extends into the tibia and the patient's natural bone grows into it. A plastic platform or spacer will be inserted between the tibial and femoral implant surfaces. The spacer is made of polyethylene.

Most femoral components are made of metal alloys (cobalt chromium) or metal-ceramic alloys (oxidized zirconium). The patellar component is plastic (polyethylene). The tibial insert component is also plastic (polyethylene). The tibial tray component can be made of the following materials:

·cobalt chromium (metal alloy)

·titanium (metal alloy)

·polyethylene (plastic)

How common is knee replacement?

Knee replacement is a routine procedure that is performed on more than 600,000 people worldwide each year. Over 90% of total knee replacement patients experience improvement in knee pain and function.

How do I get a diagnosis?

To diagnose your condition, your orthopedic surgeon will perform a thorough examination of your knee, analyze x-rays and perform a physical examination. You will be asked to describe your pain, if you have other joint pain, and if you have ever had an injury that could affect your current knee condition. It may be helpful to record your knee pain to share with your doctor. The strength and range of motion of your knee will then be tested through a series of activities, including bending and walking. X-rays of the knee will show any changes in size or shape, or any abnormalities.

What is knee replacement surgery?

Knee replacement surgery is the removal of part of the bone that forms the knee joint and its replacement with an artificial implant. It is primarily used to relieve knee pain and stiffness caused by osteoarthritis.

Most people who undergo this surgery have advanced knee osteoarthritis, in which the cartilage in the knee joint wears away and the surface of the knee joint becomes depressed, eroded and uneven. This can lead to pain, stiffness, instability and changes in body alignment. Knee replacement surgery can also help some people who have a weak knee due to injury or other conditions.

What are the different types of knee replacement surgery?

There are two main types.

Total knee replacement, where the entire joint is replaced with an artificial surface

Partial knee replacement, which replaces only one damaged compartment of the knee

Total knee replacement is the more common of these two procedures.