Custom total knee: understanding the indication and process

Abstract

Patient-specific total knee arthroplasty (TKA) is a copy of the bony knee morphology based on a pre-op computer tomography (CT). The images are segmented in 3D and software is utilized through a proprietary process to generate individual total knee implants to recreate the articulating surfaces. The distal condylar valgus angle of the prosthesis is matched anatomically to the distal femur and reversely matched on the tibia with a thicker lateral insert. The implant, a set of patient-specific jigs (PSJ), which are 3D printed in nylon, and a detailed surgical plan are sent to the hospital in one box. The system is available with one solid or two separated medial and lateral PE inserts. There is a cruciate retaining (CR) and posterior stabilized (PS) version available, including various insert thicknesses. The system allows the addition of two different cemented stem extensions if needed at the time of surgery.