A New Alignment Approach for Total Knee Replacement Surgery

Principle Investigator: Jihui Li
Co-investigators: Edward MacMahon, Mark Theiss
Funded by: private

The knee arthritis is a major health problem affecting millions of people. Total knee replacement (TKR) surgery has been proved as a successful treatment for knee arthritis. However, compression induced wear on the polyethylene tray have been reported as a major cause of implant failure. Clinical and research evidences showed that the current dominant alignment method, a straight line alignment concept, may be the reason of the unevenly compression distribution between medial and lateral condyles. In this study we investigate four variables that may influence the compression distribution of the replaced knee joint. We plan to set up a new alignment approach based on the relationship among the variables. We hope the new approach can help physicians to better align the implants during TKR surgery.