IN A WORLD WITHOUT CASTINGS Would Knees Be Replaceable?


Tanks to developments in surgical


techniques and materials in the past half century, joint replacement surgery has developed into a commonplace, yet life-changing medical option for aging Americans. In the majority of 600,000 yearly knee replacement surgeries, the prostheses are cast in cobalt, chromium or molybdenum alloys combined with high-molecular polyethylene. In most total knee replacements,


portions of the tibia (shin) and femur (thigh) are cut away and replaced with cast metal inserts. Also, the patella (knee cap) may be trimmed and resurfaced. Damaged cartilage is removed and replaced by a polyethylene compound. Te tibial and femoral prostheses


are investment cast and surface treated with a number of biologically inert and non-biologically active materials. Te tibial insert is then topped by the poly- ethylene cartilage replacement.


September 2013 MODERN CASTING | 17


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