Kinematically Aligned Total Knee Arthroplasty with Patient-Specific Instrument

Area of Science:

• Orthopedic surgery
• Biomechanical engineering
• Medical device design

Background:

• Total knee arthroplasty (TKA) is a common procedure for knee arthritis.
• Traditional mechanical alignment techniques may not fully restore natural knee function.
• Kinematic alignment offers a patient-specific approach to TKA.

Purpose of the Study:

• To introduce and explain the principles of kinematically aligned TKA.
• To highlight the role of patient-specific instruments (PSI) in kinematic alignment.
• To emphasize the need for optimized implant design for kinematic TKA.

Main Methods:

• Description of kinematic alignment principles focusing on restoring constitutional alignment.
• Explanation of using patient-specific instruments (PSI) for precise axis identification.
• Discussion of limitations of current implants in kinematically aligned TKA.

Main Results:

• Kinematic alignment aims to replicate the natural tibial-femoral articular surface, alignment, and laxity.
• Patient-specific instruments (PSI) facilitate accurate alignment of kinematic axes.
• Current implants may present challenges for kinematically aligned TKA implementation.

Conclusions:

• Kinematically aligned TKA represents a novel approach to knee reconstruction.
• Optimized implant design is crucial for maximizing the benefits of kinematic alignment.
• Restoring natural knee kinematics may enhance patient satisfaction and function.