Dear patient,

you and your physician are currently planning an operation to replace your knee joint with an artifi cial knee joint manufactured by LINK.

Your surgeon is very familiar with the procedure, the details, the materials and the healing process, but you are bound to have some questions.

FAQ

Artifi cial knee joints have a decades-long history in medical technology.
Materials, form, design, and functions are the result of many years of development, always in close cooperation with medical professionals and engineers.

What exactly defi nes an artifi cial knee joint?

There are many factors that need to be weighed up when deciding on a particular knee joint. Beyond the individual size and shape, the surgeon’s chief concern in implanting the product will be how well the substance of the bones can be preserved. This directly affects the recovery time and functionality.

Your physician has selected a knee endoprosthesis from LINK, based on factors unique to your individual case.

 

Focus on people

For over 70 years, LINK has been developing and producing medical devices, which are used all around the world.

LINK is a company based in Hamburg, Germany, that sets standards in endoprosthetics and offers an extensive product range. This wide selection offers physicians the best solution for every individual case and requirement, …. normal daily lives, free from pain.

What types of artifi cial knee joints does LINK provide?

Knee joints basically consist of a tibial component, a femoral component, and a synthetic articular surface.

Partial joint prosthesis (LINK sled prosthesis)

  • suitable for cases where joint wear involves the inner or outer part of the knee joint
  • anchored solely with ‘bone cement’
  • replaces the cartilage of the femoral condyle.

Total joint prosthesis (LinkSymphoKnee)

  • suitable for replacing the outer and inner femoral condyle and the entire articular surface of the head of the tibia
  • can be anchored either with or without ‘bone cement’.

What are the differences between the two variants?

There are various ways of fi xing knee endoprostheses within the bone, depending on the bone substance. Your physician will determine which system is suitable in your particular case. LINK offers appropriate products, anchored either with or without cement.

What materials are used to make an artifi cial knee joint?

The total knee endoprosthesis must be composed of materials that are well tolerated by the body.

 

The materials

Plastic

Wear-resistant and well tolerated by the body

Metals

Long-term stability, Biocompatible. Body-compatible

PorEx surface layer

Coatings for patients hypersensitive to metal Wear-resistant and well tolerated by the body

The operation

What should I do to prepare myself for the operation?

You can also play a role in making the therapy a success: it’s important that you follow your physician’s specifi c
instructions prior to the operation and inform him/her of the following details:

• Medications, including over-the-counter preparations, that you are currently taking
• Other disorders you may have, such as allergies

Exercise to build up your muscles, improve your gait and, if necessary, lose weight before the operation and arrive at your surgery appointment in good health.
 

What will happen after the operation?

Your physician will tell you which kinds of movements you are permitted to make and which you should avoid. A few days after the operation, you will commence rehabilitation in a clinic or outpatient center. There your knee muscles will be strengthened, which will stabilize your artifi cial joint.

Tips for day-to-day life

icon

Attend all your follow-up appointments and visit your physician if you experience any complaints.

icon

Avoid heavy physical work.

icon

Avoid sports involving violent impacts or with a high risk of injury.

icon

Ideal sports are light gymnastics, walking on fl at terrain, and cycling using a bike that is easy to get on and off (that doesn’t require you to lift your leg high).

icon

People with a total knee endoprosthesis can normally also swim - preferably using crawl stroke.

If you have any questions or concerns, please contact the physician in charge of your treatment.
LINK wishes you a speedy recovery.

LINK Patient flyer - Knee

Name: 1932_Patient_Flyer-Knee_EN_2024-08_001.pdf
Size: 2 MB