Has a knee replacement surgeon in Mumbai advised you to undergo total knee replacement? TKR can be the answer to the excruciating pain, limited mobility, and difficulty performing basic household or office tasks. For the severe pain in the knee joint that doesn’t get better with pain-relief medication or anti-inflammatory injection, surgery is the last resort.
When it comes to TKR, your choice of implant is important. With metal, plastic, ceramic, and titanium alloys commonly used in this surgery, people often wonder which implant might be best for them.
Knee Replacement Materials Explained
Knee replacement isn’t a single material. It’s often a combination that’s designed to replace the worn parts of your knee joint with artificial implants. Let’s explore the different knee replacement materials, so you can choose the one that fits your budget and goals.
1. Cobalt-Chromium Alloys
Cobalt-chromium alloys have long been used for the femoral component, i.e., the part of the implant replacing your thigh bone. It’s a standard choice because it’s strong enough to handle years of walking, climbing stairs, and other physical movements efficiently.
Plus, it can last 15-20 years, making it a long-lasting and highly durable component for knee replacement. Metal sensitivity is the only downside of cobalt-chromium alloys. Some metals contain a small amount of nickel, which you can be allergic to, but such allergies are quite rare.
Medical-Grade Polyethylene
The smooth movement you get with metal implants isn’t due to the metal on metal components. For the cartilage replacement that ensures the metal components glide easily when you move, a medical-grade plastic is used. Earlier, implants made of Polyethylene would degrade faster than modern implants that use highly cross-linked, chemically-strengthened Polyethylene, which are widely used today.
2. Ceramic-Coated Implants
A latest innovation in the knee replacement component — ceramic-coated implants refers to the ceramic coating on the metal implants. Ceramic coating is known for smooth surfaces, which significantly reduce friction and thus lower the risk of wear. They have a scratch-resistant surface and have been widely used for hip replacement surgeries.
Orthopedic surgeons have also started incorporating ceramic-coated material into knee replacement. That said, many cobalt-chromium implants perform just as well, even without this smooth coating.
How to Choose the Best Material for Knee Replacement?
There’s no universal best knee replacement material. The decision depends largely on the patient’s case, their activity level, age, goals, and more.
- Age: For older adults (above 65), metal-on-plastic is most commonly used. It will most likely last the rest of your life. Younger patients might want to consider ceramic-on-plastic, advanced polyethylene, or other wear-resistant material.
- Activity Level: If you have moderate activity levels, metal-on-plastic is a budget-friendly option. If you are involved in sports and workouts, high-quality medical-grade polyethylene and ceramic coatings are generally advised for long-lasting results.
- Your Health: For people with metal allergies, ceramic coating is a better choice.
Modern knee replacement materials are designed keeping the patient’s unique anatomy, health conditions, age, and activity levels in mind. To learn more about knee implants and knee surgery prices in Mumbai, contact an experienced orthopedic surgeon.
