Failure Mechanism “Revisited” Total Knee Arthroplasty

Abstract

Total Knee Arthroplasty (TKA) has become a well-established treatment modality for surgical correction of knee disorders and pain generated by arthritis and other disorders such as trauma. Today a patient can expect to rely on his new knee to serve him with comfort for a fair number of years if not his entire life. TKA has taken on a predicated level of confidence and certain trends have developed over the years. Success has increased demand and the health care system is challenged to meet current and growing demand for surgery [In fact, the epidemiological studies have predicted that hips will grow only a little whereas knees are projected to have a 6-fold increase - see Kutz AAOS Scientific Exhibit 2006]. Surgical techniques are specializing into specific indications or camps for specialized product features. Uni-compartmental, Bi-compartmental, Total Knee with and without replacement of the patella, along with Patella-femoral replacement are some of the product classifications now available. The near future is now with articular focal defect replacement. New materials and techniques will open this area to increased indications as the sport-medicine surgeon finds his way into this growing surgical market.