Inverse Kinematic Alignment in Robot-Assisted Total Knee Arthroplasty: A Simplified Surgical Technique

Area of Science:

• Orthopedic surgery
• Biomechanical engineering
• Robotic surgery

Background:

• Traditional total knee arthroplasty (TKA) alignment may not fully restore native knee biomechanics.
• Restoring native tibial joint line obliquity is crucial for optimal knee function post-TKA.
• Patient-specific alignment strategies are gaining traction in TKA.

Purpose of the Study:

• To outline the surgical technique and principles of inverse kinematic alignment (iKA) in robotic-assisted TKA.
• To highlight iKA's emphasis on restoring native tibial joint line obliquity and knee balancing.
• To present iKA as a standardized approach for personalized TKA.

Main Methods:

• Robotic-assisted TKA utilizing the iKA technique.
• Prioritizing an anatomic tibia resection.
• Employing a tensioner-based gap balancing technique to recreate natural kinematics.
• Adjusting femoral resections to achieve knee balance.

Main Results:

• The iKA technique successfully restores native tibial joint line obliquity.
• Femoral resections are adjusted to achieve balanced knee gaps.
• The method allows for patient-specific balancing and personalized alignment.

Conclusions:

• Inverse kinematic alignment (iKA) is a promising technique for TKA.
• iKA offers a pathway to standardize personalized alignment in TKA.
• The technique is versatile and can be integrated with various robotic platforms.