Are You Choosing The Right Knee Replacement Implants?
07 AugWhether surgeon or patient, it is vital to choose just the right implants if you are considering a knee replacement. As a surgeon, it is your prime duty to carry out the surgery for your patient successfully. And, as a patient, it is obvious that you would be worried whether your knee is being replaced with a quality and reliable implant, as your entire future life will depend upon it. One mistake and everything’s destroyed. After all, your mobility and everyday tasks will depend upon the implant and the surgery. This blog will help solve all your queries regarding the implants you need to use for a total knee replacement in Bangalore – the parts of knee that need to be replaced, the best type of knee implants, the best materials to choose for knee implants, and the most reliable brands.
Parts of knee to be replaced
A knee is made up of three compartments – the medial, the lateral, and the patella-femoral. In layman language, these can be considered as the inner side of the knee, the outer side of the knee, and the area underneath the kneecap respectively. During a knee replacement, all these compartments are replaced with four artificial components namely tibial component, femoral component, patellar component, and plastic spacer.
- Tibial component is a soft-metal platform with polyethylene insert that is attached to the top of the resurfaced shin bone at the front of the leg.
- Femoral component is a metal or ceramic element that is attached to the end of the resurfaced thighbone.
- Patellar component is a polyethylene dome-shaped piece that replaces the kneecap.
- Plastic spacer is a flexible plastic component that fits between the tibial and femoral components, and provides a smooth gliding surface for the knee to bend and flex easily.
Types of knee implants
The single radius knee is the most common type of knee implant used in surgeries as it offers the greatest level of extension and flexion for majority of patients, regardless of gender, age, and activity level. Other options could be fixed bearing and mobile bearing that are based upon how the plastic insert locks into the tibial component. In fixed bearing implants, the plastic insert is locked into the metal tibial plate; while in mobile bearing implants, the plastic insert within the tibial component can rotate inside the tibial tray.
Materials used in knee implants
Artificial knee implants are generally made of durable plastic or ceramic. They may also be made of complete metal or may have an addition of a part of metal combined with plastic or ceramic. The metals generally used in knee implants include cobalt-chromium alloys and titanium-cobalt mixed metals. All of these metals are durable, flexible, and also do not corrode or react with the body.
Cobalt-Chromium – This is a sturdy metal that is commonly used in the femoral component as there is lot of traction in the femoral part, for which cobalt-chromium can prove to be the best solution. (However, those with Nickel allergies must avoid this material as it could cause a reaction; and could use a combination of ceramic and zirconium alloy instead.)
Titanium-Cobalt – This is an elastic soft metal that is favourable to the natural bone surrounding the implant. It is generally used in the tibial component where the plastic insert locks in.
Most reliable brands for knee implants
There are more than a dozen manufacturers of knee implants in the country today. However, Maxx, Merill, and Heraeus are some of the most renowned, reputed, and reliable brands in the knee replacement industry that have gained popularity and success because of the quality of products they provide. These brands offer a variety of knee implants to suit various kinds of patients and their conditions. You can choose from a list of their products for a successful total knee replacement in Bangalore. Aditi Corporation is who you must approach to get the best-in-class knee implants like the Destiknee Knee and Freedom Knee System from Maxx/Merill, and the Copal Knee from Heraeus.