Total knee replacement with OXINIUM◊ Technology
Not all knee implants are the same. Smith+Nephew knee implants are the only ones made with OXINIUM Technology and the only joint replacements selected by the Pro Football Hall of Fame.
OXINIUM◊ + XLPE
If knee replacement is in your future, you've come to the right place. The combination of these two wear-reducing materials is unique because they work together to help our implants last as long as possible by addressing wear on both surfaces of the knee implant. You may have heard of this combination referred to as VERILAST◊ Technology.
It's important to remember that not every knee implant is the same. OXINIUM knee technology directly addresses one of the most commonly cited concerns associated with knee replacement implants:1
- Implant wear
Whether or not to undergo knee replacement surgery is a very important decision. No matter how statistically safe and successful knee replacement surgery has proven to be, every surgery has risks. Before making any surgical decision, conversations should take place with your family, your primary care doctor and your orthopaedic surgeon to make sure that knee replacement with OXINIUM Technology is the right course of action for your particular situation.
Important safety notes
Individual results of joint replacement vary. Implants are intended to relieve knee pain and improve function, but may not produce the same feel or function as your original knee. There are potential risks with knee replacement surgery such as loosening, wear and infection that may result in the need for additional surgery. Patients should not perform high impact activities such as running and jumping unless their surgeon tells them that the bone has healed and these activities are acceptable. Early device failure, breakage or loosening may occur if a surgeon's limitations on activity level are not followed.
References
- Australian Orthopaedic Association National Joint Replacement Registry Annual report. Adelaide: AOA; 2012.
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What is XLPE?
What is XLPE or highly cross-linked plastic?
As remarkable as OXINIUM◊ Oxidized Zirconium is, it is the combination of the OXINIUM material on XLPE that provides wear protection on both surfaces of the implant. XLPE is created by altering chemical bonds in the polyethylene we use to create our plastic inserts. By doing so, we are able to create a tighter weave at the molecular level, thus reducing the amount of wear experienced when the metal component rubs against it. Perhaps the easiest way to think of it is like a fabric with a higher thread count.
Important safety notes
Knee replacement surgery is intended to relieve knee pain and improve knee functions. However, implants may not produce the same feel or function as your original knee. There are potential risks with knee replacement surgery such as loosening, fracture, dislocation, wear and infection that may result in the need for additional surgery. Longevity of implants depends on many factors, such as types of activities and weight. Do not perform high impact activities such as running and jumping unless your surgeon tells you the bone has healed and these activities are acceptable. Early device failure, breakage or loosening may occur if you do not follow your surgeon's limitations on activity level. Early failure can happen if you do not guard your knee joint from overloading due to activity level, failure to control body weight or accidents such as falls. Talk to your doctor to determine what treatment may be best for you.
All materials copyright © 2023 Smith & Nephew, All Rights Reserved.