Knee replacement surgeryis a treatment for severeknee arthritis.
Knee replacements eventually wear out.
While knee replacements are designed to last a long time, they will not last forever.
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However, the goal of a knee replacement should be to achieve several decades of a functioning knee.
Implant manufacturers are constantly striving to create a better implant that will last longer.
Undoubtedly, this implant will claim to function better and last longer than other knee replacements.
Ask any orthopedic surgeon about the implants they have seen come and go over the course of their career.
Just because an implant is newer does not necessarily mean it is better.
Your surgeon can help guide you to an appropriate knee replacement that is best for you.
Frequently Asked Questions
Knee replacement implants are made of metal and plastic.
The metal used is typically titanium- or cobalt-chromium-based alloys.
The plastic is usually medical-grade polyethylene.
Ceramics or ceramic and metal mixtures, such as oxidized zirconium, are sometimes used as well.
It might be possible that a knee replacement can last 30 years.
However, the typical lifespan of a knee implant is 15 to 20 years.
Newer materials and designs of artificial knee joints make it possible for the replacement joint to last longer.
If you have an artificial knee and experience any of those symptoms, talk to your doctor.
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