Orthopedics This Week highlights HSS study results published in The Journal of Arthroplasty investigating the difference between different total knee arthroplasty (TKA) alignment approaches and which is more likely to delivery better clinical outcomes.

HSS hip and knee surgeon Jonathan M. Vigdorchik, MD, co-author of the study explained, “Knee alignment is the hottest topic in knee replacement surgery in 2022. Historically, surgeons have always targeted mechanical alignment, because in the 1990s when they tried anatomic techniques, they did not have instruments or implants to make those techniques successful. However, now in 2022, we have technologies available to better achieve targets in knee replacement and with those technologies, we can make minor adjustments that will make large impacts in outcomes.”

He continued, “Kinematic alignment techniques, with small adjustments from historical mechanical alignment techniques, have been proven to increase patient satisfaction while showing excellent survivorship. As techniques and technologies develop, surgeons will start to employ kinematic alignment techniques to improve patient outcomes. We can now begin to think of a knee replacement as a true resurfacing procedure, anatomically in a patient-specific fashion, and hopefully improve outcomes for our patients.”

Read the full article at Ryortho.com.