What Are The Different Types of Knee Implants?

As people grow old, their body changes and they start experiencing extreme pain in different parts. Some may experience pain in the knee which may make it difficult for them to perform their day-to-day activities. Normal pain can be managed with certain kinds of medications as those prescribed by doctors along with treatments like physiotherapy, acupuncture, etc.

However, if the pain remains unmanaged, your orthopedic doctors will recommend knee replacement surgery. Knee replacement is a surgical procedure in which the damaged knee joint is replaced with artificial components. These artificial components are known as implants which are made up of metals and/or plastic. The doctor will either remove a part or the entire knee joint and replace it with surgical implants. A partial or total knee replacement surgery may be performed as per the condition of the patient. There is a notable reduction in the knee pain in the patient who has undergone knee replacement surgery.

Need for knee implants

Here are some medical conditions in which the doctor will recommend knee replacement surgery:

• Chronic pain in knees
• Correction of bone deformities such as knocked knees, bow-legs, etc.
• Arthritis
• Long lasting inflammation in knees or knee pain while resting or sleeping
• Joint injuries due to sports activities and everyday wear and tear

What implants are used in knee replacement surgery?

There are many types of implants. Various factors which will determine the type and design of implants used by orthopedic surgeons are:

• Patients’ need
• Knee problem or anatomy
• Age
• Weight
• Lifestyle
• Activity level
• Overall health

What are the different types of knee implants?

There are several types of implants used for minimally invasive knee replacement surgery. The major difference between these implants is whether the implant will replace the whole joint or a part of it. Various factors such as stability of the ligament, condition of bones and muscles and any misalignments such as knocked knees, bow legs, etc. will determine the most suitable type of knee implants. Here are some common types of knee implants used by orthopedic surgeons for knee replacement surgeries:

• Non-constrained implants: Non constrained implants are inserted into the knee; here, the upper and lower part of the implant are not connected to each other. It depends on the person’s medial and lateral ligament of the knee and muscles for stability. In most of the knee surgeries, the ACL (Anterior Cruciate Ligament) is removed before implanting an implant.
• Semi-constrained implants: Semi-constrained implants are used when the Posterior Cruciate Ligament (PCL) is unstable and need to be removed. In this situation, the two components of semi-constrained implants are connected together by using a hinge in order to provide stability.
• Constrained implants: These types of implants are used when the knee is highly unstable, here, the two components of the upper and lower part are joined by a hinged mechanism. A long stem is used to attach these implants with a bone on each side.

Cemented versus cementless knee replacement:

Cemented implants: These types of implants are fixed and connected with the natural bone of the patient using fast drying bone cement. Cemented implants were traditionally used in knee replacement surgeries.

Uncemented or cementless implants: These types of implants are widely used in knee replacement surgeries and is popularly known as press-fit knee implants. These implants have a rough and porous surface which enhances the growth of the bone. With advancement in implants technology, uncemented implants do not need to be cemented. Cementless implants are generally preferred by doctors in total knee replacement surgeries.

If you are still confused about knee replacement surgeries or the types of implants used in the surgery, it is best to consult an orthopedic doctor as s/he can help you in selecting the type of implants which will be suitable for you depending upon the need and also explain the pros and cons of the types of implants.

Conclusion:

A patient may take a few weeks to months to recover fully after the knee replacement surgery. The pain subsides gradually after the surgery and a person can resume his normal life and perform day-to-day activities as usual. This surgery will show long lasting relief, especially if patient takes proper care post-surgery. Patients can consult the best orthopedic surgeons at Yashoda Hospital & Research Centre, Nehru Nagar, Ghaziabad if they want to undergo knee replacement surgery. Schedule your appointment with the best orthopedic experts in Delhi NCR if you are looking for the best and most advanced orthopedic care. Yashoda Hospital provides the best comprehensive orthopedic care to their patients. The orthopedic doctors and surgeons here, provide a wide range of treatment options for all orthopedic problems of patients.

Dr. Vipin Tyagi is the Director/HOD of Orthopedics Trauma and Joint Replacement at Yashoda Hospital. He is one of the best orthopedic surgeons in Delhi NCR. With more than 37 years of medical experience, he has performed over 20,000 surgeries including complex fractures, complicated spine surgeries and hip and knee replacement surgeries.

Dr. Ajay Panwar is the Senior Orthopedic Consultant and Surgeon. He specializes in knee replacement, joint replacement, orthopedic trauma, hip and knee arthroplasty surgeries and sports injuries. He has also performed serious and complicated knee replacement surgeries with great results.

Dr. Rahul Kakran is the best orthopedic doctor in Delhi NCR. He has an experience of over 11 years in treating fractures and dislocated joints and more than 6 years of experience in treating spinal and joint pathology. He specializes in performing minimally invasive spine surgeries such as percutaneous pedicle screw fixation, TLIF, balloon kyphoplasty and microendoscopic discectomy with a vast experience of 500+ surgeries.