Coronal Alignment-Kinematic Alignment

Kinematically aligned (KA) total knee arthroplasty (TKA) aims to restore the patient’s natural knee joint anatomy, contrasting with mechanically aligned (MA) TKA, which standardizes joint positioning. KA-TKA aligns components to match each individual’s pre-arthritic knee axis, theoretically improving function, range of motion, and patient satisfaction. This chapter reviews the principles of KA-TKA, surgical techniques, and clinical outcomes compared to MA-TKA. Emerging evidence suggests that KA-TKA provides better kinematic function and potentially more natural-feeling knee mechanics, but its long-term durability and broader applicability remain topics of ongoing research.