There are many factors that ultimately influence implant endurance.  Smith & Nephew has been at the forefront of innovation in the area of endurance, as demonstrated through a legacy of success.

The design of the LEGION^◊ Total Knee System was inspired by the GENESIS^◊ II Total Knee System, which has a longstanding record of clinical success.  For more than 10 years and in more than 30 countries, the GENESIS^◊ II Total Knee System has achieved outstanding clinical outcomes.^1,2,3

	Richard S. Laskin 100 consecutive Minimum 5 years	Mark A. Snyder 562 consecutive 5-8 years	Robert B. Bourne 843 consecutive Mean 9.5 years (5-11)
ROM	118° mean	118.6° mean	117° mean
Lateral Release Rate	3%	2.5%	4%
Knee Score	93	93.4	n/a
Survivorship	98.2%	98.9%	98%

Smith & Nephew has a longstanding reputation for providing surgeons with technologies designed to maximize implant wear resistance. That reputation was built through market leading innovations such as our highly polished tibial baseplates, tibial locking mechanism and the award-winning OXINIUM^◊ Oxidized Zirconium. That history of innovation continues with the introduction of the VERILAST^◊ Technology.

In lab testing, Smith & Nephew demonstrated that the composition of the mating component has a significant influence in the wear resistance of the entire bearing couple (see VERILAST^◊ chart¹ below).

 

After simulating 3 years of use, the mean volumetric wear of VERILAST couples (2.67 mm3) was approximatley 98% lower than CoCr/CPE couples (120.42mm3).

After simulating 3 years of use, the mean volumetric wear of VERILAST couples (120.42 mm3) was approximatley 81% lower than CoCr/CPE couples (22.78mm3).

Our testing shows that the wear of polyethylene combined with Cobalt Chrome increases under the clinically relevant, abrasive conditions. However, when combined with OXINIUM^◊ Oxidized Zirconium, wear resistance is maximized. This result is attributed to the scratch resistance that OXINIUM^◊ provides.

Therefore, VERILAST^◊ Technology, the combination of OXINIUM^◊ Oxidized Zirconium and highly cross-linked polyethylene produces a knee implant system that addresses the need for greater wear resistance. All orthopaedic manufacturers have highly cross-linked polyethylene. Only Smith & Nephew has VERILAST^◊ Technology.

Engineered for life

Clinical References
_{1. Laskin, Richard S., Davis, John, “Total Knee Prosthesis using the GENESIS II Prosthesis: a 5-year follow-up study of the first 100 consecutive patients.”, The Knee 12 2005, pp.163-167.}

_{2. Snyder, Mark, “GENESIS II Total Knee Arthroplasty: 5 to 8 year results”, Smith & Nephew, Inc, 2006} 

_{3. Bourne, Robert B., McCalden, Richard W, MacDonald, Steven J, Mokete, Lipalo, Guerin, Jeff, “Influence of Patient Factors on TKA Outcomes at 5 to 11 Years Followup.”, Clinical Orthopaedics & Related Research, November 2007, 464:27-31} 

_{4. 2005 Engineering Materials Achievement Award, American Society for Metals, 2005.}