Information about knee and hip replacements is more easily available than ever before. But direct-to-consumer advertising, online articles and other reports in the media may make it more difficult for people considering these surgeries to understand their options. Becoming familiar with the key considerations that go into selection of the implant that is used to replace the injured or damaged joint can make the process easier.
This article provides answers to many of the questions surgical patients may have about implants (also called prostheses); readers can access specific topics directly by clicking on the following headings:
In the majority of total knee replacements, the surgeon places components of the implant (also called a prosthesis) on the joint surfaces of three bones that make up the knee joint: the femur, the long bone in the thigh, the tibia, the larger of the two bones in the lower leg and a patellar (kneecap) component, which glides on the femur, the bone that you feel at the front of the knee. The patellar component is sometimes not needed.
Although there are now many different models of knee implants available from a number of different manufacturers, there are two primary types - one that substitutes for the posterior cruciate ligament (PCL), a central ligament that stabilizes the knee joint, and one that spares it. [Figure 1]
"The choice between these two implants usually comes down to surgeon preference," explains Russell E. Windsor, MD, Attending Orthopedic Surgeon at the Hospital for Special Surgery (HSS). "At HSS, the majority of surgeons prefer an implant that replaces the PCL."
In part, this preference is based on the pioneering work done at HSS by John Insall, MD, Chit Ranawat, MD and Peter Walker in 1973, the orthopedists and bioengineer who developed the total condylar prosthesis, designed to closely replicate the anatomy and functional characteristics of the knee joint. "This really marked the beginning of successful modern knee replacement," says Dr. Windsor. Since that time thousands of successful surgeries have been completed using more modern, refined versions of this implant. But research also suggests that equally successful outcomes are achieved with implants that spare the PCL.
"Prospective patients may also read or hear about fixed-bearing implants versus rotating platform implants, and wonder which one is preferable," Dr. Windsor notes. These terms refer to the portion of the replacement that is attached to the tibia.
When fixed-bearing implants are used, a metal component is inserted into the tibia and a polyethylene (plastic) tray is locked into place on top of it. [Figures 2a,b,c]
In rotating platform implants, a similar metal implant is inserted into the tibia, but the polyethylene tray is placed on a circular stem that allows slight rotation of the tray on the metal tibial platform during knee motion. This mobile-bearing design may allow for slightly greater range of motion in the knee. [Figure 3]
Rotating platform implants were originally designed with the younger, more active patient in mind. Some data suggests that there is less wear of the polyethylene component with this type of implant, but a clinical benefit has not been established. (This choice of fixed-bearing versus rotating platform implants is also relevant to people who are candidates for partial knee replacement, in which only one compartment of the knee is replaced.) [Figures 4 and 5]
During knee replacement surgery these implant components are usually connected to the bone with cement, a technique that generally yields excellent results. However, the orthopedic community is studying "cementless" fixation of implants - a technique already in widespread use in hip replacement - in which the components have a trabecular metal surface (one that resembles a honeycomb). This porous design permits the growth of new bone tissue on the surface of the fixed metal components.
As described, knee implants generally include components made of metal and plastic. In order to ensure a smooth, gliding motion, and to avoid friction, metal surfaces never come into contact with one another. Metal components are usually made of cobalt chrome (which contains nickel) or titanium (which is known for its strength and lightness). Titanium-only implants are available for patients who are allergic to nickel, but it is more difficult to obtain the highly polished surface that facilitates smooth motion with titanium than it is with cobalt chrome.
Based on the successful use of ceramic components in hip replacement, one manufacturer has developed a ceramic implant for the knee. "However," Dr. Windsor notes, "we won't know for quite a while if this will offer any advantage in the knee, which is a very different kind of joint."
The patient's size, weight, and gender also have a bearing on implant selection. While once there were only a few sizes available, surgeons now have a wider selection to choose from. This includes a gender-specific "woman's knee", which is designed to accommodate a woman's narrower bone structure, especially on the femur. "This development reflects the trend toward customizing implants to achieve the best results possible, in terms of comfort, function, and longevity," says Dr. Windsor.
Prospective patients may find that orthopedists in some hospitals use only one or two different implant systems, whereas, orthopedists at HSS have access to the systems of all the major orthopaedic implant manufacturers.
Total hip replacement surgery - in which the damaged joint is replaced with an implant - is associated with a high degree of successful and predictable outcomes.
Orthopedic surgeons may approach the surgery in one of three different ways:
Each surgical approach calls for slightly different post-operative precautions related to position restrictions to avoid possible early hip joint dislocation. The posterolateral surgical approach is most commonly used in hip replacement surgery. Although a minor improvement in walking speed during the early phase of recovery has been associated with the direct anterior approach, there is no data to suggest a significant advantage of one approach over another explains Douglas E. Padgett, MD, Chief, Adult Reconstruction and Joint Replacement division and Attending Orthopaedic Surgeon at HSS. “The decision to use a particular approach is usually based on the preference of the surgeon,” Dr. Padgett adds.
Much of the important early work in the development of successful hip implants took place in the late 1960s and early 1970s, including that of British surgeon John Charnley, MD and introduced at HSS by Philip D. Wilson, Jr. MD.
The majority of people who undergo hip replacement receive a traditional hip arthroplasty in which the surgeon uses a stemmed device and prosthetic head to replace the upper part of the femur (the head and neck of the bone) and a hemispherical shaped cup to replace the acetabulum, the socket of the pelvis in which the femoral head fits. [Figure 7]
However, some patients may be candidates for hip resurfacing in which the head and neck of the femur are not removed. In this procedure, the surgeon resurfaces or sculpts the femoral head to accept a metal cap with a short stem. Hip resurfacing is usually most successful in male patients under the age of 55, who are larger in stature There is little data to support functional benefit of one type of hip replacement over the other, although if revision surgery is needed, this may be easier after hip resurfacing. [Figure 7]
Traditional Total Hip
Hip implants come in two primary types: the traditional single-piece implants and modular models, in which the stem and head of the implant portion that is placed in the femur can be matched independently. Although the single piece implants provide a good fit for many patients, "modular devices were developed to improve the fit of the implant to the patient's specific anatomy," explains Dr. Padgett. However, he adds, some modular implants have recently been found to be associated with problems related to the linkage between the various parts.
Some degree of corrosion and fretting has been seen with these metal on metal components, a process that can result in the creation of metallic debris that is destructive to the soft tissue surrounding the joint. As a result, some of these implants have been recalled.
Implants may be made of a variety of materials including metal (usually titanium), ceramic or polyethylene (a type of hard plastic). Ongoing research and enabling technology will determine new directions in materials used in hip replacement surgery. At present, bearing surfaces - where the femoral component of the implant meets the acetabulum - may combine in three different ways:
Placement of the hip implant components involves an additional consideration: how the implants are bonded to the bones. This can be accomplished either through the use of acrylic cement or with uncemented fixation, in which the surface of the implant is composed of a porous, honeycomb-like surface that allows for the in-growth of new bone tissue to help hold the component in place.
"On the cup portion of the implant, uncemented fixation is clearly superior," Dr. Padgett says. "However, cemented fixation may be preferable in older patients or others with compromised bone quality." With regard to fixation of the stem, Dr. Padgett notes, available data shows no advantage of one type of fixation over the other, and the decision to use one over the other is left to the surgeon's discretion.
Because the essential design of the knee implants introduced in the mid-1970s has resulted in successful outcomes in a significant number of patients, it's not surprising that newer models introduced over the years have involved modest refinements rather than radically different designs. While marketing campaigns may seek to persuade consumers that "newer is better", Dr. Windsor cautions that it's important to bear in mind that it will take time to determine whether modifications to previous implant systems actually fulfill their promise and whether they offer any advantage over existing systems.
One new technology that may enhance the precision of knee implant placement has also received some coverage in the lay media. Many orthopedic surgeons now use custom cutting blocks - models based on the patient's specific anatomy - to refine precision and accuracy during surgery. The cutting block is created based on information obtained with pre-operative MRI. The goal of this technology is to allow the surgeon to more precisely plan where surgical cuts in the bone will be made and to preserve as much of the patient's anatomy as possible. Further long term follow up will be necessary to determine if there is benefit in using custom cutting blocks.
Hip and Knee Implants
With a history of excellent surgical technique and outcomes, the focus of new development in this area is on the use of enabling technology to improve preparation and component positioning in hip and knee replacement surgery. These tools include navigation devices that provide three-dimensional spatial orientation and robotics which can also provide tactile feedback during surgery. "The role of these emerging technologies is still evolving," Dr. Padgett notes.
As with any orthopedic surgery, people contemplating knee or hip replacement are advised to seek out a surgeon whom they trust, who does a high volume of these procedures - and an institution with a reputation for excellence in the field. Surgeons who focus on a given surgery or technique are most likely to have predictably successful outcomes. Single specialty centers of excellence, such as HSS, also have outstanding anesthesiologists, nurses and rehabilitation therapists who collaborate to achieve the best possible outcomes of care.
At specialized institutions like HSS, surgeons may also serve as consultants in the development of implants. These surgeons are particularly practiced in the use of implants they have helped to develop. (All orthopedists at the Hospital for Special Surgery disclose such professional affiliations, information which can be found on the physician's individual profile on hss.edu.)
When to Schedule Surgery
Timing of surgery is another important consideration in predicting successful outcomes. "Generally I advise patients that it's reasonable to consider surgery when the disability and pain in the knee or hip is affecting your quality of life and you've tried all other means available to alleviate your symptoms," says Dr. Windsor.
Prospective patients should also take into account the importance of having surgery while they are otherwise in good health. In the past, some middle-aged patients have elected to wait for a joint replacement, because of their concern about the longevity of the new joint; that is, that a second joint replacement surgery might eventually be required. However, not only does the data indicate that knee and hip replacements are lasting as long as twenty-five or even thirty years, but delaying surgery may result in the surrounding muscles becoming de-conditioned owing to reduced function. In turn, this may make recovery from surgery more difficult.
Older individuals, including those in their 80s and 90s may also want to consider the benefits of scheduling surgery sooner versus "living with" disability. While the ability to tolerate surgery and recovery, as well as the existence of co-existing medical conditions must be taken into account, recent data shows that joint replacement that helps to preserve function can have an overall positive effect on the health of older patients. Those who are able to be more active have a reduced risk - when compared to their more sedentary counterparts - of various medical conditions including pulmonary embolism, deep vein thrombosis and pneumonia.
"Knee and hip replacement surgery improves the quality of life of thousands of patients each year," Dr. Windsor notes. "However, both advertising claims and misinformation on the Internet can lead to confusion about which implant works best or even an exaggerated sense of risk associated with the surgery. In many cases, a discussion with your surgeon can clarify implant options and establish realistic expectations about hip and knee replacement surgery."
"As with any surgery there is always some risk involved. There have been a few knee and hip implant systems that have not worked well," Dr. Windsor says, "and isolated recalls of specific models have occurred. But people should be aware of the shared commitment on the part of industry, hospitals, and surgeons to the welfare of the patient and to addressing any problems with implants that do occur."
One method to moniotor performance of hip and knee implants is through a patient registry. The orthopedic surgeons at HSS are dedicated to following the long-term patient centered outcomes of joint replacement surgery in our Total Joint Prospective Clinical Outcomes Research Registry. Using this registry, long term implant performance may be followed and hopefully surgeons can identify as early as possible any poor performing implants.
If you would like more information about knee and hip replacement at HSS, please visit the Physician Referral Service or call 1.877.606.1555.
Posted: 8/13/2013Summary by Nancy Novick.