Artificial Knee Types & Prices: How Implants Compare

Quick answer

Artificial knee types differ in what they replace (total or partial), how they are fixed (cemented or cementless), whether they keep the posterior cruciate ligament, and whether the plastic insert is fixed or mobile. “American” or “European” describes the manufacturer, not the result — the right design for your knee and good surgery matter more than the country of origin.

✅ Last medically reviewed by Prof. Dr. Ibrahim Shaarawi, Professor of Orthopaedic Surgery, on 12 October 2026

About your surgeon: Prof. Dr. Ibrahim Shaarawi

Professor of Orthopaedic Surgery, Faculty of Medicine, Ain Shams University.
Visiting Professor of Orthopaedic Surgery, Ohio, USA.
Certificate in complex fractures and trauma, University of Maryland, USA.
He has performed more than 750 knee replacements (total, partial, both knees in one operation and revision surgery) and more than 3,000 knee arthroscopies.
His joint replacement experience also includes 650 total hips, 1,400 hip hemiarthroplasties and 55 reverse shoulder replacements.
Rated 4.9 and 5.0 on Google by about 300 patients.

He sees patients at his clinics in Nasr City, Mohandeseen and New Cairo (5th Settlement).

Patients often ask which artificial knee is best, or whether an American knee is better than a German one. Here is how knee implants are classified and how we choose, as part of our guide to total knee replacement surgery.

The parts of an artificial knee

Components of a knee replacement: femoral component, plastic liner and tibial tray — A knee replacement has a femoral component, a plastic liner and a tibial tray, and sometimes a kneecap button — Image: Graichen (annotated) / Wikimedia Commons, CC BY 3.0

A metal femoral component caps the end of the thigh bone, a metal tray sits on the shin bone, and a high-grade plastic liner between them allows smooth movement. The back of the kneecap may also be resurfaced with a plastic button.

X-ray of a medial partial (unicompartmental) knee replacement — A partial knee replaces only the worn compartment — Image: MBq / Wikimedia Commons, Public domain

How knee implants are classified

Feature	Options	When used
What is replaced	Total or partial	Partial when arthritis is limited to one compartment
Fixation	Cemented or cementless	Cement is most common; cementless in some younger patients
Ligament design	Cruciate-retaining or posterior-stabilised	Depends on the ligaments and deformity
Insert	Fixed or mobile bearing	Both give good results in suitable patients
Constraint	Standard, semi-constrained or hinged	More constraint for instability or revision

Table: how artificial knees are classified

Video: Treating knee arthritis with a modern artificial joint, and recovery after surgery

Prof. Dr. Ibrahim Shaarawi, Professor of Orthopaedic Surgery, explains (in Arabic).

American, European or other implants?

Established manufacturers from the United States, Europe and elsewhere make implants with long registry records. What matters is a proven design with good long-term data, the right size and alignment, and an experienced surgeon. We choose the implant for each knee rather than by country of origin.

Key numbers to know

National registry data show that 82% of total knee replacements last 25 years, compared with 70% of partial knee replacements (Evans et al., The Lancet 2019).
Partial knees had fewer post-operative complications, but survival at 7 years was 80.9% versus 95.7% for total knees in a large cohort (Hansen et al., 2019).
In the TOPKAT trial of 528 patients, partial and total knee replacement gave similar function at 5 years, with partial knees costing less and having similar reoperation and complication rates (Beard et al., The Lancet 2019).

Treatment	When we use it	What to expect
Conservative care: exercise, weight loss, topical pain relief	Grade 1–3 arthritis	Better pain and movement; many patients delay surgery
Joint injections (steroid, hyaluronic acid or PRP)	Persistent pain despite conservative care	Temporary relief that varies between patients
High tibial osteotomy (HTO)	Active patients under 60 with bow legs and arthritis on the inner side only	Realigns the leg and keeps the natural knee
Partial knee replacement	Arthritis limited to one compartment with healthy ligaments	Faster recovery and a more natural-feeling knee
Total knee replacement	Severe (grade 4) arthritis with pain limiting daily life	Pain usually resolves; walking on day 1–2
Revision knee replacement	Loosening, infection or instability of a previous knee replacement	Bigger surgery with special components to restore stability

Table: knee arthritis treatment options from conservative care to replacement

At Prof. Dr. Ibrahim Shaarawi’s clinics in Nasr City, Mohandeseen and New Cairo (5th Settlement) we examine the knee and review standing X-rays at the same visit, then decide on conservative care, osteotomy, or a partial or total knee replacement according to the arthritis grade, your age and activity.

How long do knee implants last?

About 82% of total knees and 70% of partial knees are still working at 25 years in national registries. Partial knees have fewer early complications but a higher revision rate over time — see partial knee replacement.

Implant type and price

The implant is a major part of the total cost. A total knee replacement with Prof. Dr. Ibrahim Shaarawi usually costs EGP 120,000–200,000, with the implant choice explaining much of the difference — see the knee replacement cost in Egypt.

Looking for an experienced knee surgeon? Read our guides to the best knee specialist in Egypt and the best orthopaedic surgeon in Egypt to see how to choose.

Frequently asked questions about artificial knee types

Which artificial knee is the best?

There is no single best implant; the right design depends on your ligaments, deformity, bone quality and activity.

Is an American knee better than a European one?

Not by origin alone. Proven designs from established manufacturers in both regions have good long-term results.

Cemented or cementless knee?

Cemented fixation is the most widely used and reliable; cementless implants may be chosen for some younger patients with good bone.

What is a hinged knee replacement?

A highly constrained implant used for severe instability, major bone loss or some revision cases.

Does the implant type change the price?

Yes. The implant is a large part of the cost, which usually totals EGP 120,000–200,000 for one knee.

To have your knee assessed and your X-rays reviewed, book a consultation, call +20 155 240 4488 or message us on WhatsApp at +20 155 554 7181.

Medically reviewed by Prof. Dr. Ibrahim Shaarawi, Professor of Orthopaedic Surgery. This article is general medical education and does not replace an examination or the treatment plan your surgeon sets for you. See our medical disclaimer.

Related knee replacement guides

Guides to help you understand your implant:

Artificial Knee Types and Prices: American, European, Total and Partial Implants