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).

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.}