Modern Alignment Strategies in Total Knee Arthroplasty and How to Best Achieve Them.

J Bone Joint Surg Am · Nov 05 2025 · Review

Harris AB, Vigdorchik JM, Khanuja HS, Hegde V

Department of Orthopaedic Surgery, The Johns Hopkins University, Baltimore, Maryland

Adult Reconstruction

SUMMARY — THE REDUCTIONThis review of total knee alignment strategies stresses standard definitions, notes robotics and navigation make alternative alignment executable, and reports that small deviations (\u00b13\u00b0) from neutral mechanical alignment don't affect survivorship while kinematic alignment appears at least noninferior.
Abstract, as published

➢ Adherence to accepted definitions of the various alternative total knee arthroplasty alignment strategies is important for research and communication between surgeons.➢ Technological advances, including robotics and navigation-assisted systems, have made precise execution of alternative alignment strategies feasible.➢ Modern studies have suggested that minor deviations (±3°) from neutral mechanical alignment do not significantly impact long-term total knee arthroplasty implant survivorship.➢ Individualized alignment strategies, such as kinematic, restricted kinematic, and functional alignment, aim to respect native anatomy and soft-tissue balance.➢ The majority of studies comparing intermediate-term outcomes of kinematic and mechanical alignment suggest noninferior outcomes with kinematic alignment; however, some studies have suggested superior outcomes with kinematic alignment.

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