Ceramic Implants For Knees

The lower end of the femur.

Ceramic implants for knees.

Implants are made of metal alloys ceramic material or strong plastic parts. This type uses a ceramic femoral component instead of metal or a metal component with a ceramic coating. People who are sensitive to the nickel used in metal implants might get the ceramic type. Based on the successful use of ceramic components in hip replacement one manufacturer has developed a ceramic implant for the knee.

The knee replacement implant parts are made of metal medical grade plastic or ceramic. Biolox delta ceramic is a composite matrix material containing 82 volume alumina al 2 o 3 and 17 volume zirconia zro 2. Types of knee replacement implants according to dr. Sedrakyan and his colleagues reviewed 118 published studies on hip and knee replacement devices they found that newer so called high tech versions including ceramic on ceramic hips and high flexion knees which promise the ability to move the knee more deeply and fluidly weren t any more effective than older products and that some were more often associated with the need for revision surgery surgery to correct a complication of surgery.

Up to three bone surfaces may be replaced in a total knee replacement. Trevor north orthopedic surgeon most surgeons use one style of implant for a significant majority of knee replacement cases. These materials do not wear out easily but they will not last forever. This composite ceramic was developed to overcome the disadvantageous aging of zirconia and the relatively low fracture toughness of alumina.

Stainless steel knee implants are also available however its use has mostly been taken over by other alloy implants. The zirconium alloy is combined with an all plastic tibial component replacing the metal tray and plastic insert used in other knee replacements. In saying this ceramic implants are more costly and can be more susceptible to fracturing since the material is brittle. While some people may have knee replacements that may last for decades some may require a second surgery called revision knee replacement surgery just a few years later.

The metal femoral component curves around the end of the femur thighbone. Titanium only implants are available for patients who are allergic to nickel but it is more difficult to obtain the highly polished surface that facilitates smooth motion with titanium than it is with cobalt chrome. It also rides on a plastic spacer.