AAOS Logo In order to understand the anatomy of the female knee better gender specific total knee prosthesis was developed. The results are anticipated to put forth improved outcomes for women. Experts examined 85 women who received gender-specific implant in one knee and standard prosthesis in the other. They identified that there was no specific advantage of the gender-specific knee.

The women enlisted for the study were examined for around two years after they received the knee implants. Both the knees faced similar knee scores and range of motion when these women lay down. Scientists also shared that except three women all other patients could seamlessly bend their knees by at least 90 degrees.

The participants were content with the implants and were asked to rate it. A score of 6 to 8 meant satisfied and a rating of 9 to 10 meant fully satisfied. Surprisingly, most women had no specific preference, however eight women preferred standard prosthesis and six preferred gender-specific prosthesis. Experts also revealed that implantation of prostheses enhanced quality of life in many ways like pain, walking distance, deformity and function after surgery.

“We conducted this study to investigate whether women derive less benefit, or perhaps less predictable benefit, from total knee replacement using a standard conventional total knee implant,” commented Young-Hoo Kim, M.D., orthopaedic surgeon and lead author of the study.

“Our data demonstrated that the standard prosthesis fit the distal part of the femur better than the gender-specific prosthesis did,” said Dr. Kim, who is from The Joint Replacement Center of Korea, Ewha Women’s University School of Medicine in South Korea. “We indeed expected the gender-specific prostheses to outperform the standard prostheses”.

The analysis also revealed that the gender-specific prosthesis was so tiny that it uncovered more bone which resulted in augmented bleeding instantly after surgery. As women did not benefit from gender-specific implant experts suggest that it may be better if women receive proper sized standard total knee prosthesis.

“We have learned that gender-specific total knee prostheses fail to show any clinical benefits. So, we feel that proper size standard total knee prostheses are needed for both men and women. Because the duration of follow-up was short, and we can draw no conclusions about the advantage of the gender-specific prosthesis with regard to long-term function,” Dr. Kim added.

The participants enlisted for the study were examined for only two years, however it is shown that results after two years are alike those seen five to ten years after total knee replacement.

These findings were presented in the Journal of Bone and Joint Surgery.