Which Materials Can Be Used For Knee Replacement Implants?

Replacing a knee joint involves removal of the original knee and installing an artificial flat metal plate and stem into the tibia, and a contoured metal implant fit around the end of the femur. These implants are generally made of metal or plastic materials that allow optimum articulation between the joint surfaces, without much wearing off. Let us now learn in detail about the materials that can be used as knee implants during a total knee replacement in Bangalore.

Titanium and titanium alloys

Titanium is the most popular material used in implants where high strength is not required. As a matter of fact, titanium is more often used as a layer bonded to the surface of the implant that allows the bone to grow into the implant, or allows cement to bond better to the implant for stronger fixation. Also, titanium alloys that contain aluminum and vanadium along with titanium are used as they are bio-compatible and have great corrosion resistance. Other properties that make this material so popular include lower density and lower elasticity, which has it acting more like a natural joint, thus reducing risks and complications.

Cobalt-chromium alloys

These materials are hard and tough. Also, they are bio-compatible and corrosion resistant. This is why they are one of the most widely used materials in knee implants. However, one drawback with such materials could be the release of tiny metal ions into the body during joint movement, which may or may not cause reactions within the body, depending upon the patient’s allergic reactions.

Zirconium alloy

Zirconium alloy is a ceramic knee implant that is combined with a plastic tibial component to replace the metal tray and plastic insert used in other knee replacement surgeries. The new knew formed in this way is believed to last for 20–25 years, which is the highest recorded period for an implant to last! Moreover, unlike cobalt-chromium alloys, this material is best suited for patients who are allergic to Nickel.

Polyethylene

Polyethylene is highly used for building tibial and patellar components in knee implants. Although the wear and tear in the knee area is minimal, materials like Ultra Highly Cross Linked Polyethylene and Ultra High Molecular Weight Polyethylene are used to eliminate even that minimal amount of wearing off, thus enabling knee implants to last as much as possible.

Stainless steel

Stainless steel has very limited ability to withstand corrosion in the human body. This is why this material is not used for permanent or long-term implementation within the body. Instead, it is used as a temporary implant like fracture plates and screws.

Tantalum

Tantalum has excellent physical and biological properties like biocompatibility, flexibility, and corrosion resistance, which makes it the ideal choice for building implants. A latest version of Tantalum that is porous in nature, named Trabecular Metal, is also highly used for bone in-growth due to its elasticity.

After understanding the benefits and disadvantages of each of the above materials, you may have decided the best implant type you would want inserted in your knee. However, it is your surgeon who can perfectly decide as to which material is best suited for you, depending upon your condition, situation, health, and lifestyle. But, you could always use the above information to discuss with your surgeon and ask him any appropriate questions when investigating your surgery options, when you are planning to undergo a total knee replacement in Bangalore.