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Hip implants

An artificial hip comprises a stem, with a ball head and cup.
The stem is manufactured from a metal compatible with the body (i.e. bio-compatible), generally an alloy of titanium or cobalt-chromium. The ball is generally made of a high-performance ceramic or metal. The cup consists of two parts: a metal shell made of titanium and an inlay of metal, ceramic or plastic. The cup and stem are secured in the bone in one of two ways: either using a quick-setting bio-compatible plastic, known as bone cement, or by compression into the bone, i.e. a cementless anchorage, so that the bone grows around the implant.
 
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Knee implants

An artificial knee joint comprises a femur shaft or condyle and a tibia plateau, made from a bio-compatible metal alloy. This is generally a cobalt-chromium alloy; in some cases the tibia plateau may be manufactured from a titanium alloy. A plastic plate is secured on the tibia plateau to minimise friction between the femur and tibia. In some cases the posterior side of the knee cap (patella) is replaced by a plastic disc that then slides along the metal plate of the femur replacement when the knee joint is moved.
The implant components are secured in the bone either using a quick-setting bio-compatible plastic, known as bone cement, or by compression into the bone, i.e. a cementless anchorage, so that the bone grows around the implant.
 
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