The Origins and Adaptations of UHMWPE for Knee Replacements

Contemporary knee arthroplasty includes a broad range of surgical procedures, which are tailored by the physician for the specific needs of the patient. For patients with mild arthritis, which is confined to one of the condyles of the 

Flowchart schematic illustrating the major adaptations of UHMWPE for unicondylar, bicondylar, and patello-femoral replacements. 

Frank Gunston and the Wrightington Connection to Total Knee Arthroplasty 

UHMWPE was introduced for knee arthroplasty at the same place, and at around the same time, as it was introduced for hip replacement. As we have seen in Chapter 4, John Charnley introduced UHMWPE for hip arthroplasty 

Examples of knee arthroplasty during the 1960s. (A) Walldius hinged knee replacement (B) the Shiers, Walldius, and Guepar hinged knee replacements, superimposed over the anatomy of the knee (reprinted with permission from Walker RS. 1977. Human joints and their artificial replacements. Springfield, IL CC Thomas Publisher) (C) Macintosh tibial plateau and (D) McKeever tibial plateau. 

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Chapter 7 The Origins and Adaptations of UHMWPE for Knee Replacements... 

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