MATERIALS  FOR  TOTAL   KNEE PROSTHESES

In practice only two kinds of materials are used for the manufacture of total knee prostheses:

the modern strong Cobalt-Chrome alloys and Ultrahigh Molecular Weight Polyethylene (UHMWPE)

there are also total knee prostheses having a  ceramic femoral component  (Zirconium oxide and alumina oxide), although these prostheses are just now not much in use on the European continent and in the USA.

The manufacturers use identical materials for manufacture of total knee prostheses as those used for fabrication of total hip joint prostheses.

For more information visit the chapters   metal alloys / allergy

                                                                   polyethylene for total joints

                                                                    bone cement / allergy

                                                                     ceramic

                                                                 www.oxidizedzirconium.com

 References:  

Akagi et al:  J Bone Joint Surg-Am, 2000; 82-A:1626-33                  

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