In this video we’ll discuss the basics about what a Total Knee Replacement is. As you can imagine, there is a lot more than in this summary video, but this is a starting point. For more information, please visit our Youtube Page, or Facebook and follow us to stay tuned to more videos as they arise.
What is the prosthesis made of
All of our knee replacements are Cobalt Chromium. The plastic is a highly specialised polyethylene. The composition of the implant is designed to increase longevity. Under an electron microscope, the surface of a CoBalt Chromium implant is extremely smooth. In a knee replacement, there is no metal touching metal, as the plastic sits between it.
For more information of knee replacement composition – visit this link.
What movements can this knee replacement perform
Unlike a standard hinge, a normal knee bends, straightens, opens and closes (laterally), is tighter medially, and also rotates. This is what the implant design is for – the medial pivot design mimics the behaviour of a normal knee. When coupled with kinematic alignment, this is designed to increase the natural feeling of a knee. To achieve kinematic alignment, patient specific technology is used. For all of our total knee replacements, a disposable instrument set is used so it is brand new for each and every knee that is performed.