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Longevity of 3DKnee™ Total Knee System: Wear Testing Simulation Performance

After years of development, DJO Surgical is proud of their latest innovation in the TKR arena. The 3DKnee™ is the first knee replacement developed to work in conjunction with the abnormal characteristics of the arthritic knee. Not only is the 3DKnee™ designed to provide a wider range of motion and greater stability than other knee prostheses, but its revolutionary design is also intended to minimize the stresses on the ultra-high molecular weight polyethylene (UHMWPE) that have traditionally led to premature deterioration of many available implants. As a result, the 3DKnee™ should have a longer life expectancy than other devices, making it a truly viable prosthesis option for younger patient populations.

John Desjardins, PhD of Clemson University, South Carolina has recently published a white paper which examined how four sets of 3DKnee™ systems performed in a comprehensive wear test using an Instron/Stanmore TKR Wear Testing Simulator which simulates forces and physiology of a normal knee joint.

Over three months the simulator performed well, all stations produced statistically similar loading waveforms and motions. The TKR Kinematics of the 3Dknee™ were comparable with published data from healthy knees. Dynamic ranges of implant motion were maintained throughout the test which indicated potential long-term unimpaired TKR function in a patient. Meanwhile the UHMWPE inserts showed very little wear which re-enforces the early findings of low contact stresses at the bearing surfaces during functional activity. The surfaces did become burnished and smoother but with only minor scratching and no pitting which indicated good durability and a healthy mode of material surface wear.

The findings show that thanks to the combination of low contact stresses, low wear rate and long-term range of motion, the 3DKnee™ system offers a strong surgical option for healthy active individuals requiring long-term unimpaired TKR function.

MyDJO Research

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