The Uniglide Mobile Bearing Knee Replacement system, sometimes called a partial knee, is designed to repair only the medial part of the knee. It is indicated for use in the replacement of the articulating surfaces of the medial compartment of the knee and is comprised of a femoral component covering the end of the femur, a tibial component laying on the top of the tibia and a polyethylene (plastic) insert that moves between the other two components. The Uniglide Mobile Bearing system is not currently available for commercial use in the U.S. but is available under a clinical trial. Dr. Kreuzer is a lead investigator in this clinical trial.

The Uniglide Mobile Bearing Knee, like other mobile bearing knee devices, are designed to allow the plastic insert to both rotate and move backwards and forwards within the artificial knee joint., allowing a more natural movement of the knee, and theoretically reducing wear of the plastic insert in higher demand patients.

Mobile bearing knee replacements are used around the world and many in the surgical community accept the benefits that these devices are likely to provide. Mobile bearing knee devices for total knee replacement were first introduced in the late 1980’s. They have a long clinical history, many with excellent mid-term and long-term results and survivorship. Orthopaedic device manufacturers recognize the need to be able to offer younger, more active patients a longer-term solution for their joint disease and have introduced a mobile bearing knee in their product line.