Why Stryker Implants?

What’s the difference?

A technology that is designed to work with your body.

Stryker knee replacement designs work with your body, not against it, to produce easier motion^2,3 an easier, faster recovery after surgery.^{4, 5} Stryker engineers have studied the complexities of knee biomechanics and movement to create an implant that is designed to work more like a healthy knee. Stryker is the only maker of a design that flexes, extends and even rotates slightly, from a constant centered point. The single-radius design moves like your natural knee and requires less effort on the part of your thigh muscle (the quadriceps). Single-radius design technology is designed to allow you to move easier and recover more quickly after surgery.^2,3 Let us explain how.

Easier motion^2,3 and an easier recovery.^4,5

How soon after surgery will you be moving again? Will recovery be painful? Although the answers to these questions depend on a lot of factors like your health, and physical therapy, did you know that the implant your doctor also chooses has an impact on how you’ll feel after surgery? Because the thigh muscle (the quadriceps) is attached to your knee near the bottom front of your upper leg, it is unavoidably involved in the surgery. During surgery, your physician will either work between the fibers in the muscle to access the knee (minimally invasive surgery) or will make an incision through the tendon that holds the muscle to the knee (traditional surgery). In either case, the quadriceps muscle can become a source of discomfort or pain during those first days and weeks after knee replacement surgery. Every time you move your knee, your quadriceps is doing the work. It stands to reason that the less work required of the quadriceps, the less pain you may feel during recovery.

The single-radius design of Stryker knees potentially offers a distinct advantage when it comes to the quadriceps muscle and your recovery.^4,5 Clinical studies have found that the unique design of Stryker knees actually requires less effort from your quadriceps when you move. In fact, the results of a recent study show that the single-radius knee actually requires 57% less quadriceps force than traditional knee replacements designed with multiple points of movement.² Because the quadriceps muscle plays such an important role in your ability to move your legs, walk and bend, it also has a major impact on your recovery and how quickly you can get back to living your life.^4,5

Implant Longevity

Many things including patient weight, activity level as well as the implant’s bearing surface technology, can affect the longevity of the implant. The bearing surface is defined as the two parts of the knee that glide together throughout motion. Stryker’s advanced bearing technology, called X3^®, has demonstrated a 96% decrease in wear in laboratory testing compared to competitive premium bearing technology.¹ Based on this testing, X3^® Technology may result in a longer lasting implant. This new technology is particularly important for younger patients.

Increased Motion

Stryker’s Triathlon^® Knee System represents the contribution of over 30 years of clinical success in orthopedic implants. It utilizes the latest in knee technology to help increase the extent to which you will be able to restore motion in your knee after surgery. The Triathlon^® Knee is designed for natural knee movement, helping to relieve your pain and restore your independence. Restoring motion in your knee is likely one of the reasons you are considering knee replacement. Motion, the bending (flexing), straightening (extension) and rotation of your knee, affects your ability to perform everyday activities. The Triathlon^® Knee System is designed to allow for natural knee motion and up to 150° of flexion.

Fit and Fixation

Your doctor will consider several factors when determining the appropriate knee implants for you. There are many factors that influence the durability of knee implants, and implant fixation to the bone is one of them. Some implants require bone cement to secure, or fix, the implant in place. Bone cement has been used since the earliest procedures were done and is still used today. Usually bone cement is used in patients with poor bone quality to help stabilize the knee components.

Other implants are manufactured with special coatings and rough surfaces that help your natural bone grow onto it to achieve fixation. An implant with a porous surface or tiny beads, and good quality bone are required for cementless fixation. Oftentimes, a combination of cement and cementless knee components are used.