A knee prosthesis, methods of implanting the prosthesis, method of
treating arthritis of the knee, and a kit therefore are provided. The
prosthesis answers many of the limitations of current knee prosthetic
devices by providing a two-component (or alternatively, an optional
three-component) device, as either a single structure, or as separate
pieces. One of the components is constructed of low friction material,
while the second is composed of a weight-dissipating cushioning material;
the optional third component is constructed of low friction material. The
prosthesis is initially attached to surrounding soft tissue in the knee
by biodegradable sutures; it is held permanently in place by fibrous
ingrowth into a porous collagen rim in the cushioning component. Major
improvements provided by the present invention over currently available
prostheses include minimal incisions, minimal or no bone cuts, minimal
overall dissection (these improvements lead to shorter hospital stays and
rapid rehabilitation and fewer potential for side effects), less
prosthetic wear, greater longevity, fewer activity restrictions, able to
be used on young, large, active patients, ease of revision, ease of
conversion into a total knee arthroplasty if needed.
