Patient Success Stories

Artificial knee designed just for women

Let's face it: Men and women are different – right down to their knees. Unfortunately, most knee replacement devices didn't take those differences into account…until now.

David Smith, M.D., board-certified orthopedic surgeon at Ingalls Memorial Hospital, recently implanted a “gender-specific" artificial knee specifically designed for women on 51-year-old Marianne Liauba of Blue Island.

The Gender Solutions knee, manufactured by Zimmer, is the first artificial knee replacement shaped to fit the unique anatomy of the female knee. Liauba, of Blue Island, had her left knee replaced with the gender knee last November and recently received her second replacement by Dr. Smith at Ingalls.

"I have a matched set," the college English teacher said with a smile.

Liauba, who for years contended with debilitating pain caused by arthritis and bone spurs in both knees, first heard about the gender knee on the internet and in news articles. “I talked to Dr. Smith and learned it would be a good fit for me," she added.

"Mounting research shows that the anatomical structure of the female knee is very different than the male knee," Dr. Smith said. “The differences involve the bones, ligaments and tendons in the joints."

In designing the gender knee, researchers used a sophisticated and highly detailed map of the female knee using three-dimensional computed tomography (CT) imaging. The new artificial knee implant addresses key differences of a woman's knee, including a thinner, narrower shape, proportioned to female anatomy and more natural tracking.

"Standing and walking were very uncomfortable for me," Liauba said. "I love to travel, but I couldn't take a vacation last summer because my knees were so bad."

Following her November knee replacement surgery, Liauba spent several months in physical therapy, strengthening her left knee and preparing her right knee for surgery in May. "I couldn't do most of the things that I do now," she said. "I'm looking forward to resuming my life where I left off several years ago before my knees became so painful."

For more information, please call 708.915.4721

 

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