Steven F. Harwin, MD, FACS | Orthopaedic Surgeon, New York, NY

Gender Specific Knee Replacement | New York City (NYC)

The American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons estimates that two-thirds of total knee replacement patients are women; however, despite the anatomical differences between men and women and the prevalence of female knee replacement patients, most artificial knee joint implants are not tailored to accommodate the differences between the sexes. Gender specific knee replacement procedures allow surgeons to customize knee implants to meet the needs of female patients.

Gender Specific Knee Replacement Surgery

Gender specific knee replacement procedures are tailored to the unique physiological profile of both male and female patients. A custom-designed artificial implant, calibrated to the specific dimensions of average sized adult women and men, is used rather than a traditional implant. Gender specific implants conform closely to the patient’s bone profile, increasing the implant’s durability and lifespan. With the ability to choose from gender specific implants of varying sizes and shapes, surgeons are more likely to find the perfect fit for each patient instead of relying on “one size fits all” implants.

Dr. Harwin, a design team member of the Triathlon Total Knee System, has published the first peer-reviewed scientific paper on the results of a gender-specific high performance knee replacement (see the article published by Dr. Harwin and his colleagues in Surgical Technology International, 2007.)

Knee Anatomy

The knee joint is made up of three main components - the femur (thigh bone), tibia (shin bone), and patella (knee cap). Tendons and ligaments run through and around the knee joint, connecting muscle to bone and providing stability and support for the knee. The meniscus, a wedge of cartilage, sits between the femur and tibia and acts as a shock absorber. A thin, gel-like layer of cartilage coats the end of the femur and tibia to prevent friction and keep the knee joint functioning properly. When the knee joint is degraded by the effects of arthritis or is damaged by a traumatic injury, total knee replacement surgery may be the best option.

Knee Replacement Surgery

In total knee joint replacement surgery, the damaged surface of the end of the femur (thigh bone) is removed and replaced with a thin metal implant, much like a cap on a tooth. The top of the tibia (shin bone) is also removed and fitted with an artificial implant that works in conjunction with the femoral implant to replicate the form and function of a natural knee joint. Several important factors are considered when selecting the proper replacement joint, including the patient’s age, weight, activity level, and gender.

Gender Specific Knee Replacement Specialists in New York City

Board-certified orthopedic surgeon Dr. Steven F. Harwin has been named a “New York Super Doctor,” “Top Doctor in the New York Metro Area” and the “Top Surgeon in America” and a “Best Doctor” in America. Dr. Harwin has preformed thousands of total joint replacement procedures. He specializes in total knee replacement, gender specific knee replacement, arthroscopic knee and shoulder surgery and minimally invasive knee and hip surgery.

Find out more about Dr. Harwin and how to make an appointment at one of his two offices in New York City.

By Dr. Steven Harwin

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