Kinematic Knee Alignment: Theory, Surgical Techniques and Perspectives

Calipered kinematic alignment was proposed by Dr. Stephen M. Howell to enable the accurate and individualized placement of total knee components coincident within ?± 0.5 mm of the patient’s pre-arthritic alignment. The aim was to restore the patient's native joint kinematics and thereby address the well documented 20% dissatisfaction when total knee replacement is performed using traditional, or mechanical alignment techniques. 

With Dr. Stefano A. Bini and Dr. G. Daxton Steele as co-editors, Dr. Howell has curated an?international team of expert surgeons and engineers?to discuss various aspects of the calipered knee alignment technique in short, concise, and well-illustrated chapters.?Each author provides clear, practical guidance?for adopting and implementing calipered kinematic alignment covering manual, patient-specific, navigated, and robotic techniques.?Chapters on component design tailored explicitly for kinematic alignment and showing the close relationship between knee biomechanics and the kinematically aligned TKA help the surgeon manage complex challenges associated with deformity and post-operative complications.

Following the introduction of the calipered kinematic alignment technique for total knee arthroplasty, many international studies have shown consistently better patient satisfaction than the traditional mechanical alignment technique. Better function and high long-term implant survival have catalyzed a paradigm shift in total knee replacement philosophy that is being embraced by orthopedic surgeons and innovative implant companies around the world with excellent results. 

Table of Contents:

Chapter 1: A Word of Caution

Chapter 2: The Principles behind Mechanical Alignment

Chapter 3: Have We Been Shooting at the Wrong Target?
Chapter 4: Philosophy and Principles of Kinetic Alignment

Chapter 5: Philosophy and Principles of KA – Q&A

Chapter 6: Surgical Technique: Standard Instrumentation

Chapter 7: Surgical Technique: Custom Jigs

Chapter 8: Handling Instability

Chapter 9: Surgical Technique: Using Navigation Assisted Techniques

Chapter 10: Surgical Technique: Using Robot Assisted Surgery

Chapter 11: Surgical Technique: Tibia First

Chapter 12: Surgical Technique: Kinematic Light

Chapter 13: Post-Operative Rehabilitation and Clinical Evaluation of the KA TKA

Chapter 14: Kinematic Alignment in the Complex Knee

Chapter 15: Revising a KA Knee: Surgical Considerations

Chapter 16: Revising a MA Aligned Knee into KA: Early Experience and Indications

Chapter 17: Kinematic Alignment: Q&A on Surgical Techniques

Chapter 18: Future Trends in KA

Chapter 19: Literature Review and Highlights of Key Findings