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Kinematic Alignment 3D Video animation showing the main steps of TKA procedure
Knee replacement surgery, or arthroplasty, is when a knee damaged by arthritis is replaced with an artificial joint called a prosthesis. A total knee replacement replaces the three compartments of the knee – medial (inside), lateral (outside), and patellofemoral (front). This is typically done with 4 components – a metal femur component, a metal tibial component, a plastic insert between the metal components, and often a plastic component on the worn-out surface of the patella (knee cap). Dr. Shelton utilized an alignment philosophy (kinematic alignment), implant (Medacta GMK® Spherika), and muscle sparing approach (subvastus) to provide patients with faster recover and better function.
Kinematic alignment is a philosophy to naturally align the implants to the native joint lines, restoring the knee to its alignment before arthritis. This is an individualized approach to knee replacement as no two knees are the same. Dr. Shelton was able to learn this technique from Dr. Stephen Howell, the creator of the technique, while doing research with him. Many studies world-wide show this method results in faster recovery, better satisfaction, function, pain relief, and range of motion compared to the traditional method called mechanically aligned total knee replacement (which has a 20% dissatisfaction rate despite advances in robotics or other intraoperative technologies). The survivorship of this technique is 93% at 16-years which is as good if not better than mechanical alignment. While performing this technique, each step is verified using a caliper, which has been proven to be highly reproducible and more accurate than robotics.
Medacta GMK® Spherika
The minimally invasive subvastus approach to a total knee involves the same standard skin incision but does not violate the quadriceps tendon or muscle. In many ways, it is the knee equivalent of the anterior approach used for hip replacements. Studies show that patients will have a faster recovery of quadriceps muscle strength and knee range of motion, shorter hospital stay (most are same day surgery), and shorter postoperative therapy.
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Total Knee Replacement Patient Animation
Potential Implications
Blood loss, infection, damage to nerves or blood vessels, intraoperative fracture, deep vein thrombosis (DVT), and need for additional surgery.
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