Trends in characterization and analysis of TKA implants for 3D printing

Abstract

In almost every country, knee joint problems are common among humans. As per American Academy of Orthopedic Surgeons, it is estimated that 3.5 million individuals in the world will undergo knee replacement surgery by 2030. People with advanced rheumatoid arthritis, or long-standing osteoarthritis are usually affected by this deformity due to changes in lifestyle. These conditions mainly affect middle-aged and elderly individuals with osteoarthritis or severe knee injuries. These problems can be overcome with the help of total knee implants by undergoing surgical procedures for providing relaxation & comfort to the knee joint. These procedures are also known as total knee arthroplasty (TKA). TKA is an ancient surgical process employed for treating intracapsular knee joint arthritis. It is promising technique greatly augmenting a patient’s standard of life. The main components of TKA are femoral and tibial components, spacer, and patellar components respectively. Materials often used in these components include titanium, Ti6Al4V, cobalt-chromium alloys, polyethylene and bio compatible materials. 3D printing of TKA implants is a recent avenue being explored by researchers in an attempt to develop a better replacement for the conventional implants for providing comfort to the patients. This paper presents thorough assessment of research trends in mechanical characterization and finite element analysis of knee joint prosthetics, especially TKA implants for 3D printing.