Knee Implants That Promote Easier Motion
Total knee replacements are different than traditional knee replacements because they are designed to work with the body to promote easier motion,1,2,3 and a study has shown a more rapid return to functional activities after surgery.2 This is due to the single radius design of the knee implant. Single radius means that as your knee flexes, the radius is the same, similar to a circle, requiring less effort from your quadriceps muscle.1,4,5
Because the thigh muscle (the quadriceps) is attached to your knee, it is unavoidably involved in the surgery. Therefore, the quadriceps muscle can become a source of discomfort or pain during your recovery period. The quadriceps muscle plays an important role in your ability to move your legs so it also has a major impact on your recovery and how quickly you can get back to living your life.2
Knee implants designed to last longer
Several factors influence how long an implant will continue to perform. Knees replacements are designed to resist wear in many ways — they use advanced bearing surfaces; they're balanced to help avoid excessive stress in any one spot; and, they're sized to better fit your personal anatomy. Advanced Bearing Technology has demonstrated up to 96% decrease in wear in laboratory testing compared to competitive premium bearing technologies.
References:
- Ostermeier, S; Stukenborg-Colsman, C, Hannover Medical School (MHH) Hannover, Germany 'Quadriceps force after TKA — a comparison between single and multiple radius designs," Poster No. 2060 • 56th Annual Meeting of the Orthopaedic Research Society.
- Harwin, S.F., Hitt, K, Greene, K.A. Early Experience with a New Total Knee Implant: Maximizing Range of Motion and Function with Gender-Specific Sizing Orthopedic Surgery, Surgical Technology International, XVI. pgs 1-7.
- Greene, K.A. Range of Motion: Early Results from the Triathlon® Knee System, 2005.
- Wang, H., Simpson, K.J., Ferrary M.S., Chamnongkich, S., Kinsey, T, Mahoney, O.M., Biomechanical Differences Exhibited During Sit- To-Stand Between Total Knee Arthroplasty Designs of Varying Radii, JOA, Vol. 21, No. 8, 2006
- The effect of total knee arthroplasty design on extensor mechanism function, JOA, Vol. 17, Issue 4, June 2002, pp. 416-421.
