What are TKR implants made of?

The femoral (upper) component is Cobalt-Chrome, whereas the tibial (lower) component can be a titanium or cobalt-chrome component. The in-between plastic component and the patella (kneecap) component is polyethylene. This is a plastic material which serves as the articulating surface for the knee to move.

Newer advances include the Highly Crosslinked Polyethylene for the in-between component. This is a material where the plastic molecules are extensively linked together, making it more resistant to wear and tear. Some manufacturers also infuse Vitamin E into the plastic, with benefits of reducing molecular wear-and-tear as Vitamin E further stabilises the plastic molecules.