Different Types Of Knee Replacement Implants
Oct 3, 2016 | Patient
*This post was co-authored by Grace McClure and Dr. Trevor North
This checklist of factors to finding the best implant may seem overwhelming, but luckily, this decision is usually left in the hands of your orthopedic surgeon. After all, surgeons have preferred implant manufacturers and only a couple different styles they work with. Very rarely do surgeons operate with multiple brands and more than a few styles. Your surgeon should be an expert in the exact type of implant you will receive.
With that said, lets get you acquainted with all things knee replacement implants, shall we? This way, you can assist your care team in matching you with an implant that best matches your lifestyle, activity level and other requirements.
What Are The Implants Used In Knee Replacement Surgeries
During the minimally invasive knee replacement surgery, the orthopedic surgeon will resurface the damaged knee with artificial components, known as implants.
There are various different types of implants. The type and design of the implant used by the orthopedic doctor depend on many factors, including, the patients needs, based on his or her knee problem and knee anatomy, as well as her age, weight, lifestyle, activity level, and overall health.
The orthopedic surgeon will discuss with the patient the type of implant that will be used for his or her knee replacement surgery and let them know about the benefits of using that particular implant.
Osteoarthritis Of The Knee: What Different Types Of Knee Implants Are There
There are different types of knee implants . The main difference is whether the implant replaces the entire joint or only a part of it. Both types of implants have advantages and disadvantages: The most suitable type will depend on various factors.
For instance, the choice of knee implant will depend on the condition of the ligaments, muscles, and bones. Age and weight play a role too as well as how physically active you are. If youre allergic to certain metals, coated implants are used. It’s best to talk to your doctor about which types of implants would be suitable and what pros and cons they have.
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Types Of Knee Implants Used In A Knee Replacement Surgery:
A whole knee joint implant is primarily made up of 3 components. A femoral component that is attached to the resurfaced thigh bone, a tibial component that is affixed to the prepared shin bone, a plastic spacer that is placed between them and a patellofemoral component that replaces the natural knee cap.
What Are The Different Types Of Knee Implants
There are several different types of knee implants. The main difference between different types of knee implants is whether the implant would replace the entire joint or only a part of it.
Different types of implants can be used for minimally invasive knee replacement surgery. The most suitable type of knee implant will depend on factors such as the stability of the ligaments, condition of bones and muscles, and any misalignments such as knock knees, bow legs. Below are the common types of implants used by orthopedic surgeons for knee replacement surgeries-
It is best to talk to an orthopedic doctor about which types of implant would be suitable for you and what pros and cons they have.
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Meniscectomy Surgery In The Knee
If you have pain and swelling in the knee, you might have a meniscus tear. The meniscus is the shock-absorbing wedge of cartilage that sits on the tibia in the knee to provide a cushion with impact.
In a Meniscectomy, the portion of the torn meniscus is removed via arthroscopy. In arthroscopy, small incisions are made on the knee to allow a small camera and tool to safely complete the surgery.
Posterior Stabilized Knee Implants
Posterior Stabilized knee implants are thought of more as a knee reconstruction than a knee resurfacing. The posterior cruciate ligament is removed with this design. PS implants have a polyethylene post on the tibial insert that engages the femoral cam in deep flexion. PS knees are typically easier to implant, dont require as precise ligament balancing, obtain greater flexion, but feel more artificial since patients can feel the post engage the cam in deep flexion.
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How Long Is It Before I Can Walk After A Knee Replacement
Most patients progress to a straight cane, walker or crutches within two or three days after surgery. As the days progress, the distance and frequency of walking will increase.
Patients are usually able to drive a car within three to six weeks after surgery and resume most other normal activities by or before six weeks. Complete recuperation and return to full strength and mobility may take four months or more. However, in many cases, patients are significantly more mobile one month after surgery than they were before they had their knee replacement
Recovering From Knee Replacement Surgery
Youll usually be in hospital for 3 to 5 days, but recovery times can vary.
Once youre able to be discharged, your hospital will give you advice about looking after your knee at home. Youll need to use a frame or crutches at first and a physiotherapist will teach you exercises to help strengthen your knee.
Most people can stop using walking aids around 6 weeks after surgery, and start driving after 6 to 8 weeks.
Full recovery can take up to 2 years as scar tissue heals and your muscles are restored by exercise. A very small amount of people will continue to have some pain after 2 years.
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Helping Patients To Make Informed Decisions
Were funding research to improve patient experience before, during and after knee replacement surgery. This includes a project based at the University of Sheffield which aims to help patients make informed decisions about their surgery. The research team will use the UK National Joint Registry dataset to develop and validate a personalised, web-based decision aid to help patients considering knee joint replacement to make informed choices about their treatment.
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Looking After Your Knee Replacement
Your new knee will continue to improve for as much as two years after your operation as the scar tissue heals and you exercise your muscles. Youll need to look after yourself and pay attention to any of the following problems:
Stiffness Sometimes the knee can become very stiff in the weeks after the operation for no obvious reason. Try placing your foot on the first or second step of the stairs, hold on to the banister and lean into your knee. This should help to improve movement and flexibility in your knee. Its very important to continue with the exercises you were working on in the hospital.If the stiffness doesnt improve after about six weeks your surgeon may need to move or manipulate your knee. This will be done under anaesthetic.
Pain Pain caused by bruising from the operation is normal in the first two months, and youll probably still need to take painkillers at six weeks to help you sleep through the night. You may still have some pain for as long as six months. If you still have pain after this, speak to your physiotherapist or GP.
Infection You should speak to your GP or hospital if you notice any signs of infection, for example:
- breakdown of the wound with oozing/pus or sores
- increased pain
- redness and the affected area feeling warmer than usual or smelling unpleasant.
You should also look after your feet see a doctor or podiatrist if you notice any problems such as ingrown toenails that could become infected.
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Major Knee Implant Brands
There are several popular brands of knee implants on the market today, offering consumers several different styles and types depending on their preference and needs. The most popular brands are ZimmerBiomet, Stryker, DePuy and Smith & Nephew. These brands have the largest market share worldwide and offer fixed and mobile-bearing designs .
Zimmer Biomet Formed from a merger between Zimmer and Biomet, this is by far the most popular brand on the market accounting for over 25% of knee replacements worldwide.
Stryker One of the most popular makers of knee replacements in the US, Stryker offers partial, total and revision knee replacements for any patient needs. These implants are approved for use in over 100 countries worldwide.
DePuy DePuy Synthes is an orthopedic company thats a subsidiary of Johnson & Johnson. DePuy produces the most popular brand for mobile-bearing knee replacements, they produced their original mobile implant in 1977. In addition to their mobile-bearing systems, they also offer fixed versions.
Smith & Nephew Founded in 1856, they offer a wide range of knee replacement variations. Some of these replacements include those made from nickel-free oxidized zirconium which is ideal for patients with metal allergies.
Will I Need Any Treatments After Knee Replacement
Your healthcare team will prescribe medications to help you manage pain after surgery, such as:
- Acetaminophen.
To prevent blood clots and control swelling, your healthcare team might also recommend:
- Blood thinners, such as aspirin or injectable Enoxaparin based on individual risk of blood clot formation.
- Compression devices, usually used while hospitalized. These are mechanical devises which provide intermittent compression.
- Special support hose.
Your team will ask you to move your foot and ankle around frequently to maintain blood flow at home. Theyll also show you special exercises to help strengthen your knee and restore motion. Exercises are very important to the success of your knee replacement. Initially, physical therapy will be in the home. Arrangements for this in home PT are made at the time of discharge from the hospital.
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Types Of Knee Replacement Devices
Generally speaking, surgeons use and specialize in only one type of knee replacement. The most common of these is referred to as the fixed bearing single radius knee, which offers the greatest level of extension and flexion for the majority of patients regardless of their particular situation or requirements.
The other type of knee implant used is the mobile-bearing knee replacement, which allows for the tibial component to rotate inside the tibial tray mounted on the tibia bone. This is normally only used in less than 10% of applications and requires the user to have strong ligaments to keep it stabilized.
Different Types Knee Replacement Implants And Their Advantages
Orthopedic doctors recommend knee replacement surgery if the patient has to endure constant knee pain or if the patients daily life is affected by poor mobility. Patients experience a significant reduction in knee pain after undergoing minimally invasive knee replacement surgery.
A patient may be suggested a partial knee replacement or a total knee replacement, depending on the condition. The difference between the two depends on the patients condition and pain level.
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Advanced Orthopedic Care In Colorado Springs
Here at the Colorado Center of Orthopaedic Excellence, our goal is to provide comprehensive orthopedic care under one roof. Our surgeons, podiatrists, physical therapists, occupational therapists, and other medical staff collaborate to treat a wide range of musculoskeletal problems and provide you with world-class orthopedic care. We have been an official partner of various U.S. Olympic teams, including the Paralympics.
Walking and knee movements are very important to quick recovery after surgery. We recommend exercise to our patients as soon as the day after surgery. The Colorado Center of Orthopaedic Excellence offers physical therapy and rehabilitation services right here, so you dont have to look elsewhere for your post-surgery recuperation.
If you have any questions about our orthopedic services or you would like to schedule an appointment with one of our physicians or therapists, please call us today at or request an appointment online. We look forward to getting you back in the game!
What Are The Advantages And Disadvantages Of Partial And Total Knee Replacements
Sometimes a decision needs to be made between partial or total joint replacement. It’s a good idea to talk with the surgeon about which one is better for you. Getting a second opinion can help too.
Both approaches have advantages and disadvantages, as summarized in the following table:
- Murray DW, MacLennan GS, Breeman S, Dakin HA, Johnston L, Campbell MK et al. A randomised controlled trial of the clinical effectiveness and cost-effectiveness of different knee prostheses: the Knee Arthroplasty Trial . Health Technol Assess 2014 18: 1-235, vii-viii.
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IQWiG health information is written with the aim of helpingpeople understand the advantages and disadvantages of the main treatment options and healthcare services.
Because IQWiG is a German institute, some of the information provided here is specific to theGerman health care system. The suitability of any of the described options in an individualcase can be determined by talking to a doctor. We do not offer individual consultations.
Our information is based on the results of good-quality studies. It is written by ateam ofhealth care professionals, scientists and editors, and reviewed by external experts. You canfind a detailed description of how our health information is produced and updated inour methods.
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Indications For Hinged Knee Implants
Implants with specific tibiofemoral junctions are used in cases with non-repairable ligament weakness or in cases with poor bone quality which does not allow for normal knee function.14 The principal indication for hinged knee implants remains in oncology,15 which requires regional reconstruction after tumour resection. The hinge mechanism associated with the modular characteristics of the reconstruction implant helps to preserve proper flexionextension motion and walking.16,17
In primary surgery,18 this type of implant is not suitable for the standard knee osteoarthritis patient. Its place is in managing large deformities which require significant ligament release, notably in cases of large valgus deformities , as well as in obese patients with significant laxity19 or in some complex primary post-traumatic cases. These patients are challenging to treat due to their more fragile general condition. Good functional outcomes have been obtained but they are still inferior to those of gliding implants and have a higher revision rate.
What Is A Fixed Bearing Knee Replacement Implant
The most popular type of knee replacement implant is the fixed bearing implant. The fixed bearing implants are best suited for patients who aren’t overweight and those who do not have active lifestyles. Surgeons typically recommend this implant to elderly patients, who will avoid putting any serious wear-and-tear on their implant. Depending upon the precision achieved during the surgery, and the quality of the product, a fixed-bearing knee replacement implant can easily last for a period of 10-15 years, whereas advanced implants such as MERILs Opulent can last for 18-20 years.
Merils Curiate Retaining and Posterior Stabilised fixed bearing knee are high-quality knee implants. Merils patented new technology known as the OPULENT BIONIC GOLD KNEE IMPLANT is 2 times stronger and long-lasting implant as compared to other implants in the same category. The implant is made of a biocompatible and non-allergic surface material. It enables both, young and old patients to remain active due to its long-term, quality performance.
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What Is A Knee Replacement Types Of Knee Prosthesis
The knee acts as one of the most complex joints in the human body and transfers body weight to the ground. This important organ may be damaged for various reasons, in which case one of the methods of treatment and improving its function is the use of knee prosthesis, which we introduce the work and harms of knee prosthesis.
How To Prepare For Knee Replacement
There are certain steps that can improve your recovery time and results. It is important to follow your knee replacement surgeonâs instructions both before and after surgery, as well as that of your rehabilitation therapistâs recommendations. Learn more about reparing for knee replacement by reading .
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What Do Knee Implants Consist Of
Knee implants basically consist of several parts:
- A metal cap that is placed on the end of the thigh bone , like a crown on a tooth, after the damaged joint surfaces have been removed. This cap is also called the femoral component.
- A platform that replaces the top surface of the lower leg. This platform also usually consists of a metal alloy, and is called the tibial component. On its underside, theres a short stem that is anchored in the tibia .
- A plastic spacer made of polyethylene between the upper leg component and lower leg component. This replaces the joint space and meniscus and helps the implant move. Some implants use a fixed bearing, while others use a mobile bearing that can easily turn around its own axis or glide forward and back.
If the back of the kneecap is severely damaged by osteoarthritis, it can be replaced by a plastic cap as well.
Components Of A Knee Implant
The components of a knee implant replicate the natural shape and structure of the knee joint. The components used may depend on the size of the body and vary from patient to patient. There are 3 components in a knee implant:
Femoral component: The femoral component is generally made of metal and curves around the thighbone. It has a channel that allows the kneecap to move up and down as the knee is in motion.
Tibial component: The tibial component is usually a flat metal platform with a plastic cushion. The metal portion attaches to the tibia and has a stem that goes into the tibia for stability. The plastic portion, also known as a spacer, acts as a cushion between the femoral and tibial metallic components.
Patellar Component: The patellar component is a dome-shaped device made of polyethylene that replicates the patella.
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