Patient Zone Implant Information

---

Total Knee Replacement

Surgeons have performed total knee replacement surgery for
over 40 years. Generally it is a very successful operation with over 80,000
being done every year in the UK, most total knee replacements last around 10-15
years. This surgery involves both sides of the knee joint being replaced, Both
areas of bone are replaced with a metal implant and can be cemented or
uncemented. These metal surfaces articulate with a piece of plastic
(polyethylene) which can be fixed to the lower metal implant (tibial tray) or
move on the surface of the tibial tray, the latter are known as mobile bearing
knee replacements. In terms of how well they do in patients – they both perform
very well. In knee replacement surgery it is important to protect the plastic
from wearing out as much as possible, as this is the weak area of the
replacement. If the plastic wears out then it is likely that it will need to be
replaced in the future.