A Highly cross-linked polyethylene insert is a durable plastic spacer used inside some joint replacement implants. It commonly sits between metal components to create a smooth gliding surface. In the knee, it is most often the “tibial insert” used in total knee arthroplasty (knee replacement). “Highly cross-linked” refers to a manufacturing process intended to improve wear characteristics.
A Polyethylene insert is a plastic bearing surface used in many joint replacement implants. In the knee, it commonly sits between the metal femoral component and the metal tibial baseplate. It helps the artificial joint glide smoothly while supporting body weight. It is most often discussed in total knee replacement and partial (unicompartmental) knee replacement.
Femoral component is an implant part that replaces or resurfaces the femur-side (thigh bone side) of a joint. It is most commonly discussed in knee replacement, where it caps the end of the femur. It can also refer to the femur-side implant in hip replacement, where it replaces the upper femur. Its goal is to create a durable, smooth surface for joint motion.
A Tibial component is an implant part used in knee replacement surgery. It is designed to sit on the top of the tibia (shinbone) and help form the new knee joint surface. It is most commonly used in total knee arthroplasty (total knee replacement) and unicompartmental knee arthroplasty (partial knee replacement). It works together with other implant parts to reduce painful bone-on-bone contact and restore knee function.
A Patellar component is an implant piece used to replace the underside joint surface of the kneecap (patella). It is most commonly used during total knee replacement surgery to resurface the patella. Its goal is to help the kneecap glide more smoothly against the thigh bone during knee motion.
Patellar resurfacing is a surgical step in knee replacement where the joint surface on the back of the kneecap (patella) is replaced with an implant. In plain terms, it “re-caps” the underside of the kneecap so it can glide more smoothly against the new knee joint. It is most commonly discussed in the setting of total knee arthroplasty (total knee replacement). Whether it is done routinely or selectively varies by clinician and case.
Measured resection technique is a way surgeons plan and make bone cuts during total knee replacement. It uses specific bony landmarks to guide how much bone to remove and where to place implants. It is most commonly discussed in the context of total knee arthroplasty for arthritis and deformity. It is often compared with “gap balancing,” which prioritizes soft-tissue tension over bony landmarks.
Gap balancing technique is a surgical method used to “balance” the soft tissues around the knee during knee replacement. It focuses on making the joint space (the “gap”) even and stable in both knee straightening and bending. It is most commonly discussed in total knee arthroplasty (total knee replacement). The goal is a knee that feels stable and moves smoothly after implants are placed.
Mechanical alignment TKA is a way of positioning knee replacement components to create a “neutral” straight leg alignment. It aims to line up the thigh bone (femur) and shin bone (tibia) so body weight passes through the center of the knee. It is commonly discussed in total knee arthroplasty (TKA), also called total knee replacement, especially for knee arthritis. It is one of several alignment philosophies surgeons may use when planning and performing TKA.
Kinematic alignment TKA is an approach to total knee arthroplasty (TKA), also called total knee replacement. It aims to position knee implant components to match a person’s pre-arthritis knee anatomy and motion patterns. It is most commonly used in surgical planning and execution for knee replacement in arthritis. It is one of several alignment philosophies surgeons may choose from.