Research history: Zimmer® Gender Solutions™ knee implant

Zimmer research

Pioneering research conducted by Zimmer has mapped out the anatomical differences between female and male knees1. This has led to the design of the Zimmer Gender Solutions knee implant.

Figure 1

There are significant size and shape differences in the anatomy of male and female patients 1,2,3 (see Figure 1).

Traditional knee implants do not adequately account for these differences

The distinctive shape differences in female femurs are:

  • More trapezoidal shaped
  • Narrower in dimension when compared to a male femur4

The Zimmer Gender Solutions knee is the first knee implant specifically shaped to fit a woman’s anatomy.  

Traditional implants may overhang the bone and potentially press on, or damage surrounding ligaments and tendons causing pain.

Zimmer is the first company worldwide, which has adapted the femoral component to the femoral bone of women.

Pioneering research milestones

Conducted for Zimmer to map out the design and development of the Zimmer Gender Solutions knee implant:

1983

Research confirms men and women’s knees have different movements 5

1990

Research confirms male and female knees have different geometries6

1996

Research confirms that females have typically narrower femurs, which require narrower components and implants to prevent overhang7

2002

Women were found to have typically narrower knee dimensions than men during knee replacement operations. Researchers recommend knee implant designs that take these differences into account 8

2003

Knee data and dimensions were analysed from total knee replacement operations and compared to available knee implants. Implants on female knees were found to have significant overhang. Researchers recommend the manufacture of a knee implant that is specifically designed to fit knees more appropriately9

2004

Robert E. Booth, M.D., (Chief of Orthopaedic Surgery at Pennsylvania Hospital and Clinical Professor of Orthopaedic Surgery at the University of Pennsylvania) and Zimmer initiate the development of The Zimmer Gender Solutions knee implant

2006

Research into available knee implants reports that they do not adequately account for significant differences in shape and size between male and female patients10

2006

Knee implant over-sizing, incorrect positioning and mismatch are found to contribute to stiff knees in female patients during and after total knee replacement surgery11

2006

Robert E. Booth, M.D. performs the very first Zimmer Gender Solutions knee implant procedures12

2007

Zimmer Gender Solutions knee implant is launched in the UK by a group of six surgeons led by Mr. Howard Ware and Mr. Michael Moss

Quick links

Alternatively if you would like a brochure or written information on Gender, please call the Gender Knee Helpline on 01793 58 4545, and leave a clear message about what you would like and how to send it to you.

References:

  1. Mahfouz M, et al. Analysis of variation of adult femora using sex specific statistical atlases. Presented at: Computer Methods in Biomechanics and Biomedical Engineering Conference; 2006.
  2. Hitt K, et al. Anthropometric measurements of the human knee: Correlation to the sizing of current knee arthropometry systems. Journal of Bone & Joint Surgery. 2003; 85:115-122.
  3. Chin KR et al. Intraoperative measurements of male and female distal femurs during primary total knee arthroplasty. The Journal of Knee Surgery. 2002; 15(4): 213-217
  4. Poilvache PL et al. Rotational landmarks and sizing of the distal femur in total knee arthroplasty. Clinical Orthopaedics and Related Research. 1996; 331:35-46
  5. Aglietti P, et al. Patellar pain and incongruence. I: Measurements of incongruence. Clinical Orthopaedics & Related Research 1983; 176:217-224.
  6. Hsu RWW et al.Normal axial alignment of the lower extremity and load bearing distribution at the knee, Clinical Orthopaedics & Related Research. 1990; 255:215-227.
  7. Poilvache PL, et al. Rotational landmarks and sizing of the distal femur in total knee arthroplasty, Clinical Orthopaedics & Related Research. 1996; 331:35-46.
  8. Chin KR, et al. Intraoperative measurements of male and female distal femurs during primary total knee arthroplasty. The Journal of Knee Surgery. 2002; 15(4): 213-214.
  9. Hitt K, et al. Anthropometric measurements of the human knee: correlation to the sizing of current knee arthroplasty systems. The Journal of Bone and Joint Surgery. 2003; 85:155-122.
  10. Mahfouz M, et al. Analysis of variation of adult femora using sex specific statistical atlases. Presented at: Computer Methods in Biomechanics and Biomedical Engineering Conference; 2006.
  11. Scott NW. Pearls on avoidance and treatment of intraoperative and postoperative complications – exposure of the stiff knee. Presented at: American Association of Hip and Knee Surgeons, Knee Society Specialty Day; March 25, 2006.
  12. Booth R.E (interview). Total knee replacements for Women. Orthopaedic Surgery Knee. US Musculoskeletal Review. June 2006; 74-76.