Knee system and method of making same

摘要

A femoral prosthesis may be formed as a femoral component incorporating a base material and an articulating material. In one exemplary embodiment, the base material is a metal and the articulating material is a polymer. Specifically, the base material provides strength and rigidity to the femoral component, while the articulating material contacts a tibial prosthesis or natural tibia during joint articulation. In one exemplary embodiment, the articulating material forms the articulating surface of one or more condyle portions of the femoral component.

主权项

1. A knee prosthesis including a tibial prosthesis, said tibial prosthesis comprising:
a tibial component having a polymeric body and at least one non-polymeric articulating portion, said polymeric body having an upper surface, said at least one non-polymeric articulating portion having a perimeter and an articulating surface configured for articulating with a chosen one of a femoral prosthesis and a natural femur, said non-polymeric articulating portion received and secured within said polymeric body in a fixed position to prevent relative movement between the non-polymeric articulating portion and the polymeric body, wherein said polymeric body surrounds said perimeter of said non-polymeric articulating portion and said articulating surface of said non-polymeric articulating portion is substantially flush with said upper surface of said polymeric body, wherein, if during articulation the chosen one of a femoral prosthesis and a natural femur advances off of said articulating surface of said non-polymeric articulating portion and onto said upper surface of said polymeric body, a transition from said articulating surface of said non-polymeric articulating portion to said upper surface of said polymeric body will occur smoothly, as no sudden increase and no sudden decrease in a height of a surface against which the chosen one of a femoral prosthesis and a natural femur articulates is encountered during said transition; and a tibial tray component, said tibial tray component having a plate and a stem, said polymeric body of said tibial component configured for securement to said plate of said tibial tray component.