As I understand mine are simple stainless steel though I don't know
what kind and whether nylon is involved - I assume so.
The surgeon is conservative about choices - prefers ones that have a
track record. But they may have Tantalum alloy components - the bond
face perhaps?
If you know the classics and the story of King Tantalus, you'd think
twice about having Tantalum prostheses (especially a shoulder!).
It's not the new joint that wears out - it's the bone to which it is
bonded.
It goes cheesy over time as I understand it and the bond breaks down.
That why they only last 15 years or so.
You can manage one revision and that's your lot.
What I keep forgetting to ask the surgeon is if the knee encysts -
forming a false synovial cavity of some kind.
It's pretty brutal work - the last time I remember being wheeled in
and seeing a pair of the best cordless drills I've ever seen on one
side - looked like they were Titanium plated.
Still, I'm one of those that finds morphine VERY effective thank
goodness..
Andrew Fildes
afildes@xxxxxxxxxxxxx
On 22/11/2008, at 4:55 PM, Fernando Gonzalez Gentile wrote:
> I'll try to put this into a positive perspective, Andrew: isn't it
> awesome that such a thing like a knee can be replaced ?.
> I remember when this was announced in Scientific American, I was about
> 18 - 1978. I still have it in my library ....
>
> When you come back to the list we could discuss about the
> biocompatibility of Tantalum and its relationship to Coltan and
> possible
> relationship to what's happening in Congo - but Australia is main
> source
> of Tantalum in the world I understand. Ask your surgeon for me, if the
> new knee has good Australian Ta; will you ?
>
> Since this is your second replacement, you already know that your
> muscles will need serious training - Bariloche has some nice mountains
> to train them :-)
>
> All the best,
>
> Fernando.
>
> Andrew Fildes wrote:
>> About to get the other knee replaced so going off-line for a coupla
>> weeks.
>> Andrew Fildes
>> afildes@xxxxxxxxxxxxx
>>
>
>
> --
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