| Total knee replacement is generally performed in | | | | offer significantly less wear compared to cobalt |
| older patients with osteoarthritis. For the first time in | | | | chrome implants, they are expected to last |
| India, a new prosthesis for young patients with | | | | considerably longer. In the past, orthopedic surgeons |
| osteoarthritis will be introduced. This prosthesis made | | | | have advised patients less than 65 years of age to |
| of a wonder material called Zirconium, a ceramic | | | | wait to have knee replacement surgery because the |
| coated metal ensures longer survival of the | | | | life span of the cobalt chrome knee implants is only |
| prosthesis after implantation. The introduction of this | | | | 10-15 years. Now, surgeons have a viable option for a |
| prosthesis will hopefully encourage more number of | | | | younger patient who previously would not be a |
| young and middle aged Indians and Westerners to | | | | candidate for a total knee replacement because the |
| undergo knee replacement in India. | | | | Oxinium knee implants should last much longer. |
| Advantages of Zirconium | | | | Therefore, a patient under the age of 65 who has |
| 1) The significant advantage of Zirconium knee | | | | advanced arthritis of the knee no longer has to |
| implants is that it is considerably harder. On testing it | | | | suffer for years until he reaches an appropriate age |
| lasts 85 times longer in tests that simulate the | | | | for total knee replacement surgery. |
| stresses inside the actual knee. Additional advantages | | | | "Active" patients: Patients, who desire to return to an |
| are scratch resistance. | | | | active lifestyle, including sports, dancing, gardening, or |
| 2) When it is wet, ceramic can glide smoothly along | | | | other strenuous activities, may also benefit from an |
| plastic, making for smoother motion than with | | | | Oxinium knee replacement. As a result of their high |
| metal-on-plastic. As a result, the Oxinium total knee | | | | activity level, this patient population will put more |
| replacement will not generate the quantity of plastic | | | | "wear and tear" on their knee replacement, which can |
| wear debris that cobalt chrome will, and the implants | | | | cause the implants to wear more quickly. An Oxinium |
| should last considerably longer. Zirconium is one of the | | | | knee is better able to tolerate this high activity level |
| six most biocompatible elements know to man. So, | | | | and last longer that the traditional cobalt chrome |
| your immune system will more easily tolerate your | | | | knee. Metal allergy patients: Because Oxinium is one |
| new implant. | | | | of the most biocompatible materials known to man, it |
| 3) Lastly, patients who are allergic to nickel, the metal | | | | is the only choice for patients who exhibit metal |
| most often used in the current implants, cannot | | | | allergies. Patients who have needed total knee |
| currently receive total knee replacements. The | | | | replacement surgery, but could not tolerate the |
| ceramic implant, however, can be implanted safely in | | | | cobalt chrome implants due to their nickel content, |
| patients with nickel allergies, since it uses a zirconium | | | | can now have the surgery they need to return to an |
| alloy with no nickel. Implants made of Oxinium have | | | | active lifestyle without the fear of an allergic reaction. |
| been implanted in larger number of patients in the UK | | | | The first patient will be a middle aged Housewife with |
| Australia and the US with great success. | | | | osteoarthritis. Whereas normal knee prostheses cost |
| Who would benefit most from an Oxinium (zirconium) | | | | about 80,000 rupees, this new prosthesis may cost |
| total knee replacement? | | | | about 1. 25 lakhs, but it is comparable to the best in |
| Three types of patient have been identified as the | | | | its category. The higher cost will be offset by the |
| "best" candidates for an Oxinium total knee | | | | longer survivorship of the implant. A Total knee |
| replacement. | | | | package is available for Indians and foreigners with |
| "Younger" patients: Because Oxinium knee implants | | | | normal and long life prostheses at affordable costs. |