Female Knee Replacement

Knee replacement surgeries have been proved very successful over the last couple of decades. The traditional total knee replacement surgery has given way to the new minimally invasive partial knee surgery which has brought stability to the knee surgery besides reducing the recovery period. Scientists now have been trying to bring about a new revolution in the field of female knee replacement surgery. Since women’s anatomy is different from men’s anatomy, surgeons had been advocating a separate treatment for women.

Need for a female knee replacement surgery

Research has found that a woman’s knee anatomy is significantly different from a man’s knee anatomy. There are a number of differences in the tendons in the joints, ligaments and the bones. It has also been observed that majority of patients suffering from knee joint disorders are women. According to a research, more than two thirds of annual knee replacement surgeries are in fact female knee replacement surgeries.

Zimmer Inc is the pioneering research organization which has brought out the differences in the male and female knee replacement surgeries. The research shows that female’s knees and their sizes differ from that of males. Hence using a different size of knee implant does not give the stability to female’s anatomy and female knee replacement.

Use of minimally invasive technique in female knee replacement surgeries

Minimally invasive technique has been advised for female knee replacement surgeries in which there are relatively shorter scars, a shorter recovery period and a shorter hospitalization. Use of minimally invasive technique in female knee replacement surgeries allow females to efficiently recover so as to face no difficulties in climbing stairs, gardening or any other domestic functioning.

Reasons for using different techniques in female knee replacement surgeries

Thinner shape – The front bone in a woman’s knee is relatively thinner in shape than men’s knees. Hence this less prominent front bone when operated upon could feel bulky after the surgery. Although the damaged bone could be replaced efficiently and the functioning of the knee may not hamper the daily life but the different anatomy of female’s knee joint may result in decreased functioning and pain.

Need for a natural motion of the knee while walking – There is a significant difference in the walking style of a man and a woman. There is a difference in angle between the knee and the pelvis. This difference in angle creates a difference in the actual functioning of the kneecap over the femur. As a result of female’s specific contour and shape, surgeons have been considering an exclusive female knee replacement treatment. The research has brought the difference in angle into consideration and the resultant female knee replacement surgery would be more beneficial for women than before.

Narrower shape – Surgeons have found that female’s knees are relatively trapezoid shaped; however male’s knees are rectangular in shape. While measuring the front to back size of knees, surgeons have found that the side to side anatomy of female’s knees is different. Hence different female knee replacement techniques have been evolved over the years