Health Sciences · Temerty Faculty of Medicine
A hinged, metal total knee replacement consisting of a polished uncoloured metal femoral section and a brown/ amber tinted tibial section. The stem of the tibial section has a widened portion that is meant to replace a large proximal section of the tibia. A narrower stem is affixed to a socket on this wider section with bone cement, suggesting that this portion of the prosthesis is modular.
The two sections are joined by a rigid (constrained) hinged joint that uses a polyethylene (likely HDPE) bearing surface.
This finish is heavily worn. This example was removed from a patient.
Note: This item remains with the Department of Orthopaedics at Mount Sinai Hospital as it is used for patient education.
Accession Number: 2026.med.78
Salvage knee prosthesis, Tumour or Tumor Prosthesis
Metal (Alivium, a cobalt-chromium-molybdenum alloy), Plastic (polyethylene, likely high-density polyethylene, HDPE)
Printing on the broad section of the tibial stem is worn and difficult to read. It may read: “TA 1 Co Cr Mo// [Possibly] B-M [“E” or “K”] 1164″
Printed on one side of the femoral portion of the hinge: “RIGHT”
Printed along one side of the femoral stem: “123510”
Printed along the opposite side of the femoral stem: “C Alivium Mk. 5B// 9696A
Dimensions (cm): Height = 6, Width = 4.5, Length = 43.
This total knee replacement is used in cases of significant bone loss, typically due to a tumour. The widened section of the tibial stem replaces a portion of the proximal tibia. The prosthesis is highly constrained. In this case, the femoral and tibial portions of the joint are joined by a hinge.
A hinged implant is used to compensate for the loss of ligaments related to tumour excision. This form of megaprosthesis is used in cases when an allograft prosthetic composite is also an option.
This artifact is intact though heavily worn. It was removed from a patient. The surface finish of the tibial section is scratched and abraded. There is a patch of bone cement attaching the stem of the tibial section to the broad portion.
Associated Instruments:
Manufacturer: Zimmer. Warsaw, Indiana, USA.
Date of Manufacture: c. Late 20th century.
These items were among a small collection of artifacts provided by Dr. Allan Gross. This is one of two that remain with the Department of Orthopaedics at Mount Sinai Hospital. It was borrowed following a research interview on 2 March 2026, catalogued, and returned.
Additional Information and References:
Historical Notes: