Deluxe models may not be worth it
FEMALE IMPLANTS: Some artificial knee joints have been designed to more closely match the size and shape of an average woman’s knee. But there’s no research to show ‘gender specific’ implants last any longer or provide better function — most ‘off-theshelf’ artificial joints come in a range of sizes anyway. TAILOR-MADE IMPLANTS: Scans and computer software are now being used to tailor the surgery, implant and even surgical tools to the individual patient’s anatomy. But it’s significantly more expensive — several thousands of pounds rather than £800 to £1,000 for an off-the-shelf knee.
‘These techniques are available on the NHS as well as privately but are rarely used (less than 1 per cent of knee replacements) in the NHS because they’re more expensive, timeconsuming and haven’t been shown to provide significantly better results’, says Howard Ware, a knee surgeon both in Chase Farm Hospital and The Wellington Hospital.
‘A tailor-made replacement would only be available on the NHS if the knee is severely deformed.’
The future, he says, is still conventional implants using standard instruments.
‘For most people this is going to give you the best results in the hands of an experienced surgeon.’
ROBOTIC SURGERY: Patients are given similar or the same prostheses as with traditional surgery, but a robotic arm improves the accuracy of it, according to a 2016 study in the Journal of Bone and Joint Registry.
Raghbir Khakha, a knee surgeon at Guy’s and St Thomas’ Hospital and The Wellington Hospital, says robotic surgery is not the ‘Holy Grail’, but can help improve the fit.
‘However an experienced surgeon should be able to do that anyway.’