Knee joint replacement, United States, 1998
Knee joints may need to be replaced because of disease, damage or injury. This particular prosthetic is used to replace the top part of the knee at the end of the femur bone. The replacement is made from titanium, a material that the human body does not recognise (so it will not be attacked by the immune system and rejected). Knee replacements are expected to last between ten and fifteen years. Sulzer Orthopedics Inc made the prosthetic and donated the joint to the Science Museum’s collections. It is shown here with other knee and hip replacements (1999-829, 1999-831, 1999-832).
Object number:
1999-828
Related Themes and Topics
Glossary:
Glossary: prostheses
Artificial body parts, or materials inserted into tissue for functional, cosmetic, or therapeutic effect. Prostheses can be functional (artificial arms and legs), or cosmetic (artificial eye).
Glossary: elective surgery
Non-essential surgery performed by choice and often used to improve ‘quality of life’.
Glossary: knee replacement
No description.