A Novel Technique for Restricted Kinematic Alignment Total Knee Arthroplasty Without Computer-Assisted Devices

Cureus. 2024 Aug 19;16(8):e67233. doi: 10.7759/cureus.67233. eCollection 2024 Aug.

Abstract

Kinematic-alignment total knee arthroplasty (KA-TKA) aims to restore natural limb alignment and joint line obliquity, thereby improving patient satisfaction. Restricted KA-TKA (rKA-TKA) addresses abnormal knee anatomies and seeks to replicate natural anatomical structures within safe alignment boundaries. This study introduces a novel device and technique that enables rKA-TKA without computer-assisted surgery (CAS). The new device allows for precise cartilage thickness measurement and adjustment of osteotomy angles, facilitating accurate alignment. A heel-lift technique for tibial osteotomy is presented, offering a reproducible method for determining the osteotomy volume and angle. These innovations make KA and rKA-TKA feasible in any surgical setting, avoiding the high costs and limited availability associated with CAS.

Keywords: computer-assisted surgery; kinematic alignment; osteoarthritis of the knee; restricted kinematic alignment; total knee arthroplasty.