Prosthetic tibial component having pivotable, shock-absorbing articular pads

A tibial component of a prosthetic knee implant, the tibial component comprising:

• an implant tray having a medial tray socket and a lateral tray socket, the medial tray socket having a first socket bottom surface and the lateral tray socket having a second socket bottom surface;
• a medial articular pad that is sized and shaped to fit into the medial tray socket;
• a lateral articular pad that is sized and shaped to fit into the lateral tray socket;
• a first and a second pivot bearing;
• and
• a first and a second cushion member;
• wherein the medial articular pad is supported within the medial tray socket by the first pivot bearing which engages the first socket bottom surface and the first cushion member which is sandwiched between the first pivot bearing and the medial articular pad;
• wherein the lateral articular pad is supported within the lateral tray socket by the second pivot bearing which engages the second socket bottom surface and the second cushion member which is sandwiched between the second pivot bearing and the lateral articular pad;
• wherein the first and second pivot bearings pivot, roll, and slide against the first and second socket bottom surfaces and thereby allow the medial and lateral articular pads to pivot and rotate within the medial and lateral tray sockets;
• and,
• wherein the first and second cushion members absorb forces and impacts experienced by the medial and lateral articular pads.