Definition

A gender-specific total knee replacement implant is specifically designed to fit the anatomy of a women's knee.

What Is A Gender-Specific Total Knee Replacement For Women?

Gender-specific implants are designed to better accommodate the size of a woman's bone instead of finding an "average" size of a man's and a woman's bone. The design is made to replicate the normal anatomy of a woman's knee. The accurately positioned implant allows for better function as well as improved durability.

According to the Center for Health Statistics, nearly two-thirds of the 400,000 annual knee replacement patients are women, and the number continues to increase each year. In 2006, 311,000 women and 167,000 men had total knee replacements.

Why the Zimmer Gender Knee Was Developed

The Zimmer Gender Knee, which was approved by the FDA in May 2006, has three distinct differences:

• Thinner Profile - The bone in the front of a woman's knee is typically less prominent than in a man. Traditional implants have a thickness in front that may end up making them feel "bulky," which may result in pain and a decrease in range of motion.
• More Natural Movement - The angle between the hip and the knee affects how the kneecap moves over the thighbone when the knee is in motion. Women have a distinct shape that frequently results in a different angle between the hip and the knee when compared to men. The implant accounts for this difference, allowing for more natural movement.
• A Contoured Shape - The implant is designed to more closely match the narrower anatomy of a woman's knee. This contouring provides for a more precise fit and may prevent the implant from overhanging the bone and potentially pressing on or damaging surrounding ligaments or tendons.

Other brands of gender-specific knees are available - speak to your physician about what will work best for you.

Related Topics

For related topics, please read the following sections related to Total Knee Replacements: Overview of the Procedure,  Minimally Invasive Options and Quad-Sparing Procedure.

11/26/2008