Located between the distal portion of the femur (superiorly) and the proximal portion of the tibia (inferiorly), the knee is one of the main joints of the human body .
In fact, together with the hip, it allows the movement of the legs and absorbs most of the weight exercised by the trunk.
When the health of one or both knees is significantly impaired (due, for example, to severe osteoarthritis, advanced rheumatoid arthritis or severe injury ), the conditions exist for implanting a prosthesis .
Modern knee implants are in all respects replicas, in metal (alloys) and polyethylene (a kind of plastic), of the original joint . In fact, they have a curved plate that covers the distal part of the femur, a flat plate that covers the proximal part of the tibia, an anti-friction insert to be placed between the two plates and, finally, an artificial kneecap.
Several celebrities, of whom you will certainly have heard several times, have a knee prosthesis. This is the case, for example, of:
- Steven Tyler, the famous American rock singer, leader of Aerosmith. Considered one of the top 100 singers of all time, Tyler had to resort to implanting a knee prosthesis in the fall of 2013, at age 65, due to various injuries reported during stage performances.
- Michael Douglas, famous American actor, star of films like "Wall Street" or "La guerra dei Roses". The son of another famous actor, Kirk Douglas, Michael had to work in 2009, at the age of 65.
- Jane Fonda, famous American actress and film producer. Always considered an icon of fitness, she underwent various surgical operations since 2005, at the age of 67, including the implantation of a knee prosthesis and the implantation of a hip prosthesis.
- Billie Jean King, famous American ex-tennis player, winner of many titles between 1965 and 1980 approximately. Remained for a long time at the idea of knee surgery, she was convinced only in 2010, at 67, under pressure from her orthopedist.
After surgery and rehabilitation, she said she regretted not having undergone the operation before.
- Peter Mayhew, a fairly successful British actor, famous among all Star Wars fans - Star Wars for playing Chewbacca. M had to undergo a double knee replacement in 2013, at the age of 59.
- Liza Minnelli, famous American actress and singer, daughter of. Also famous for some musicals, she resorted to implanting a knee prosthesis in 2010, at the age of 64. After the surgery, he resumed one of his passions: the dance.
