Incidence of arthritis in women is three times more than in men and 15 per cent of women who are above 55 years have this problem, which causes severe pain. In severe cases, it makes them immobile, adversely affecting their daily life.
Knee joint has three bones — femur (thigh bone), top of tibia (shin bone), and patella (kneecap), which are all held together by tendons and ligaments and cushioned by cartilage.
Problems associated with the knee joint surface due to arthritis, injury, and infection, which leads to deterioration of the cartilage. Severe pain is felt as the bones of the knee grind against each other and wear out due to absence of the cartilage.
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If medicines do not bring relief, total knee replacement surgery is suggested in which the damaged part of the bone is removed and metal and plastic implants are put.
Till a few years ago, the implants were of the same size for men and women.
But now, there are gender-specific knee implants that suit women.
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“Women’s knees significantly differ in shape from men’s knees, and research conducted precisely mapped these differences. This is the foundation for the design and development of the gender-specific knees available today,” orthopaedic surgeon Ramana Murthy T., who does several computer-guided joint replacements, says.
The gender-specific knee implant does not wary much from the one used for men, and though it is of the same size it suits women better, he explains.
The size of an implant used for men is excess in size for women and stifles femur leading to impingement of soft tissueThe woman-specific implant gives more natural movement of the knee since women have a distinct shape. .
TKR Smart
Dr. Ramana Murthy informs that a software, Total Knee Replacement (TKR) Smart, has improved the accuracy and success rate of surgeries. It provides better balancing, alignment, and longevity of new joint, he says.