Calipered kinematic alignment was proposed by Dr. Stephen M. Howell to enable the accurate and individualized placement of total knee components coincident within ± 0.5 mm of the patient’s pre-arthritic alignment. The aim was to restore the patient’s native joint kinematics and address the well-documented 20% dissatisfaction when total knee replacement is performed using traditional or mechanical alignment techniques.
With Dr. Stefano A. Bini and Dr. G. Daxton Steele as co-editors, Dr. Howell has curated an international team of expert surgeons and engineers to discuss various aspects of the caliper knee alignment technique in short, concise, and well-illustrated chapters. Each author provides clear, practical guidance for adopting and implementing caliper kinematic alignment, covering manual, patient-specific, navigated, and robotic techniques. Chapters on component design tailored explicitly for kinematic alignment and showing the close relationship between knee biomechanics and the kinematically aligned TKA help the surgeon manage complex challenges associated with deformity and post-operative complications.
Following the introduction of the caliper kinematic alignment technique for total knee arthroplasty, many international studies have shown consistently better patient satisfaction than the traditional mechanical alignment technique. Better function and high long-term implant survival have catalyzed a paradigm shift in the total knee replacement philosophy embraced by orthopedic surgeons and innovative implant companies worldwide with excellent results.
Calipered Kinematically Aligned Knee Arthroplasty is the definitive textbook on the subject and features:
- Thorough explanations of how the caliper kinematic alignment technique for total knee arthroplasty accurately sets total knee components coincident with the patient’s pre-arthritic alignment and coaligned with the three rotational axes of the native knee.
- A personalized approach to total knee surgery is designed to reconstitute the patient’s native biomechanics, unlike mechanical alignment, which places all patients in the exact standard alignment regardless of their constitutional anatomy.
- There are detailed and well-illustrated descriptions of manual, navigated, robotic, and patient-specific guide techniques that confirm kinematic alignment with a caliper.
- Clinical photos, radiographs, and line art are throughout the book as helpful online technique videos.
- Key focus topics include managing complex deformities, the expected post-operative recovery, and future trends in kinematic alignment.
- The shared experience and knowledge of international pioneers in the field.
- An emphasis on a personalized surgical philosophy that enables same-day discharge, reduces pain and opioid use and promotes quicker recovery, better function, and a more natural feeling knee.
