Knee replacement surgery is a surgical method/procedure in which an orthopedic surgeon replaces the damaged knee joint, using artificial components like plastic and metal to fix the knee. The fixers are also known as implants.
There are different types of implants available at the time of surgery. The choice of brand and type depends upon the factors including:
Your requirements like what kind of knee anatomy you have and what problem you are going through.
Your age and weight
Doctor's experience and advice
The cost
The quality and duration of time
Activity level
To know which type of implant works best for you, you can visit Dr. Derek L. Hill for better advice. He is an experienced surgeon and can guide you throughout your treatment journey.
Types of Implants
The types of knee implants are highly characterized, and no size fits every individual. They may vary in size, materials, quality, and designs. The choice of implants depends upon the factors listed above.
Fixed Bearing Knee Implants
This is one of the most commonly used implants. These implants cover the tibial section, which is made up of polyethylene cushion. What does it do? It allows the gliding of the upper femoral component during movements. The best part? They are the most reliable and long-lasting if quality counts. They can bear excessive weight and the pressure of physical activity. According to research, around 95% of fixed bearing implants have a life longer than 10 years.
Mobile Bearing Knee Implants
It is the rotating-platform knee implant, which is used in surgeries for young people. Highly qualified orthopedics like Hill Orthopedics recommends this implant to patients who are heavy, young, and physically active. It is specially designed to wear for a longer time with high bearing capacity. This implant permits better mobility compared to fixed-bearing implants. These implants are also known as Medial Pivot Implants, which allow movement of rotation, bending, and flexion to their best.
Implant Fixation
We have read out the types of implants, but do we know how they get fixed or placed in our knees? Let's find out:
There are several ways to fix the knee implant to the bone that restores the movements of the knee.
Cemented Fixation
The cemented fixation includes the bone cement, which we call polymethylmethacrylate. It helps fix the implants within the bone and resurfaces the knee joint quickly.
Non-Cemented Fixation
We don't always need to use cement to fix the implant to form the knee joint. We can press-fit onto the bone. This kind of fixation depends on a new bone-forming on the implant's surface. The non-cemented implants are made up of a material that has the capability to attract and attach to the new bone formation. These are best for young people aged 30-40.
Hybrid Fixation
In this type of fixation, surgeons go for both cemented and non-cemented fixation. This one is best for people of older age and heavyweight.
Consult Dr. Hill today.
References:
https://www.healthline.com/health/total-knee-replacement-surgery/surgical-options
https://ccoe.us/news/types-of-knee-implants/
https://www.health.harvard.edu/pain/4-types-of-knee-implants