Patient’s Section
This space is dedicated to you with the aim of explaining what an orthopaedic implant is and the reasons why surgery may be necessary.
Here you will also find simple explanations about the joints for which our products are designed, allowing you to approach the operation with greater understanding and peace of mind.
The information published on this site is precisely that – information – and is not a substitute for an appointment with a practitioner.
First introduced about forty years ago, artificial knees are designed to replace bone or cartilage that has been damaged or destroyed.
What is the knee joint ?
The knee is a joint that brings together the femur, the tibia and the patella. Cartilage, which covers the surfaces of the bones, allows the surfaces of the joint to slide smoothly over each other.
As a so-called “hinge” joint, the knee is subject to severe lateral stress, and it is kept stable by the lateral and cruciate ligaments. The meniscus, a small cartilage located between the femur and the tibia, also helps stabilise the knee, acting as a shock absorber.
In what situations could a knee replacement be necessary?
The surgeon will decide on a knee transplant for patients whose joint cartilage is damaged; this will cause pain and make the joint less mobile. The knee replacement is therefore a solution that reconstructs the joint, relieves pain and restores joint mobility when medical treatment is no longer sufficient.
Possible causes of joint cartilage deterioration:
- Gonarthrosis or arthritis in the knee
- Rheumatoid arthritis
- Osteonecrosis
- Injury
The artificial joint
There are two types of implant: a total knee replacement or a partial (or unicompartmental) replacement.
Full replacement:
In this operation, the entire knee joint is replaced:
- The condyle, which replaces the damaged part of the femur;
- The bearing, which allows smooth movement between cup and tibial base and replaces the meniscus;
- The tibial tray, which replaces the damaged part of the tibia;
- The patellar implant, which replaces part of the patella (but is not always inserted).
Unicompartmental replacement (picture):
Only one side of the joint is replaced.
- The condyle, which replaces the internal or external part of the femur;
- The bearing, which allows smooth movement between the cup and base and replaces one of the menisci;
- The tibial tray, which replaces the internal or external part of the tibia.
A total hip replacement is a device that replaces the hip joint when that joint has been damaged.
What is the hip joint ?
The hip is a joint that attaches the thigh to the pelvis. It consists of the femur, the head of which bolts into the pelvic cavity. The surfaces of the joint are covered in cartilage, which allows them to slide smoothly over each other.
In what situations could a hip replacement be necessary?
The surgeon will carry out a total hip replacement for patients whose hip joint is worn and as such is causing pain and reduced mobility. The hip replacement is therefore a solution that reconstructs the joint, relieve pain and restores joint mobility when medical treatment is no longer sufficient.
Possible causes of joint cartilage deterioration:
- Coxarthrosis or arthritis in the hip joint
- Fracture of the neck of the femur
- Osteonecrosis in the head of the femur
- Rheumatoid arthritis
The artificial joint
- The stem, which is inserted into the femur;
- The head (ceramic or metallic) which is placed on the stem;
- The liner (ceramic or polyethylene) which allows the head to slide within the cupule;
- The cup, which sinks into the pelvic cavity.
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