| Total Knee Replacement (TKR) is an operation | | | | perspective patients to seek out a good, |
| where the worn ends of the bones that make up | | | | experienced surgeon, rather than a particular product. |
| the knee joint are resurfaced with metal and plastic | | | | This is because factors such as proper alignment of |
| implants. Surgeons have many options to choose | | | | the implant components and restoration of |
| from. Not only do several manufactures make | | | | appropriate soft tissue tension (things which the |
| different brands of knee replacements, but within | | | | surgeon directly controls) are more likely to influence |
| each brand are different types. | | | | the outcome of a total knee replacement than the |
| For example, in a "PCL sacrificing" knee replacement, | | | | particular brand of implant. |
| the PCL (posterior cruciate ligament) in the knee is | | | | At the end of the day, perspective knee |
| removed and its function is replaced by the special | | | | replacement recipients should seek out a doctor they |
| geometry of the implant. There are also a group of | | | | are comfortable with and one that has a lot of |
| implants known as "mobile bearing" or rotating | | | | experience with a particular implant system. |
| platform" where one of the components (the tibial | | | | Experience is important because the technique of |
| insert) actually moves or rotates relative to the | | | | total knee replacement is rather involved. The |
| metal tibial implant affixed to the tibia (shin bone). | | | | surgeon must utilize a series of complex instruments |
| Given the myriad of implants available, it is natural to | | | | to perform the operation. Often, these instruments |
| ask, "Which total knee replacement is best?" | | | | are "implant specific" so surgeons will usually become |
| Unfortunately, the answer to that question is not | | | | loyal to a single brand allowing them to develop |
| straightforward. While each manufacture will tout the | | | | familiarity and expertise with a particular system. |
| benefits of their particular design, long-term follow-up | | | | So the answer to the question "what knee |
| of most contemporary implants yields similar results. | | | | replacement is best" may simply be the one which |
| In reality, it is probably more important for | | | | your experienced surgeon has chosen to utilize. |