ties, because metal-on-metal and ceramic-on-ceramic implants typical-
ly cost much more than plastic alternatives.
Surgeons must also consider the fixation of the implant. While
cementless replacements are thought to work better for those with
active lifestyles and healthy bones, studies have shown that both
cemented and cementless approaches are excellent and offer similar
results. I find cementless devices to be easier to insert and end up sav-
ing time in the OR.
A personalized fit
Standard implants are based on "average" size data, which means
most come in only a few different size variations. In an attempt to find
a better fit, manufacturers have developed several new implants that
are tailored to the individual patient.
For example, gender-specific implants are adjusted to fit the average
anatomical sizes of women and men, as well as account for other shape
differences between male and female joints. While it appears that gen-
der-specific implants fit the joint better than standard sizes, studies have
shown that these implants perform nearly identically to standard hard-
ware.
A newer choice on the market is patient-specific implants. Before
implantation, patients undergo an MRI or CT scan, which is sent to
the implant manufacturer. The company creates custom implants for
patients and ships them, along with the tools needed to perform the
surgery, to the host facility. Manufacturers claim that patient-specific
implants help reduce issues related to poor fit, including overhang or
underhang that's sometimes seen in knee replacements. However,
studies again show that patient outcomes match those when standard
implants are used.
But there is one major benefit that might make you consider this
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