Technology

VERILAST^◊ Knee Technology builds on the decade of success of an advanced implant material called OXINIUM^◊ (Oxidized Zirconium), joining this lightweight, low-friction metal with a special kind of “highly cross-linked” plastic that is also resistant to common implant wear. When these two surfaces work together in the joint, they do amazing and unprecedented things:

In rigorous lab testing, Smith & Nephew’s LEGION^◊ CR knee replacements made from exclusive VERILAST^◊ Technology were subjected to 45 million simulated “steps.” That’s equal to around 30 years of physical activity under typical conditions.
The testing showed that after 5 million steps, LEGION^◊ CR knees made with VERILAST^◊ Knee Technology reduced 98% of the wear experienced by knees made with traditional implant materials. And when the knees made with VERILAST^◊ Technology kept “walking” out to 45 million cycles, it reduce 82% of the wear experienced by the traditional material knee implant that was stopped after the first 5 million cycles.

About VERILAST Knee Technology

Based on laboratory wear simulation testing, the LEGION^◊ Primary Knee System with VERILAST^◊ Knee Technology is expected to provide wear performance sufficient for 30 years of actual use under typical conditions.

The results of laboratory wear simulation testing have not been proven to predict actual joint durability and performance in people. A reduction in wear alone may not result in improved joint durability and performance because other factors, such as bone structure, can affect joint durability and performance and cause medical conditions that may result in the need for additional surgery. These other factors were not studied as part of the testing. So while they cannot say they’ve eliminated a leading cause of implant failure, Smith & Nephew believes their 20 years of dedicated research are paying off for patients who would like to rediscover their active life after surgery.