Application of ceramic components in knee arthroplasties

Abstract

Total knee arthroplasty is currently a gold standard in surgical treatment of patients with degeneratively changed cartilage tissue of the knee gonarthrosis. Two major causes of total knee replacement failure are aseptic loosening caused by particle debris released by wear and nonoptimal positioning of endoprosthesis components. There is also an increase in the incidence of reported allergies on metal as a factor potentially causing failure of implant. Ceramic as a biomaterial has characteristics that could potentially make it a replacement for metal in endoprosthesis. First attempts were disappointing but following progress in endoprosthesis design and ceramics production make it look like a promising solution, at this moment exclusive option for the patients with confirmed allergies on metal.