Patellofemoral considerations in kinematically aligned total knee arthroplasty: Three‐dimensional anatomy and implant‐related mismatch

This Editor's Note considers how three-dimensional trochlear morphology, extensor mechanism alignment, patellar reconstruction and implant geometry interact in kinematically aligned total knee arthroplasty (TKA). Imaging studies suggest that personalised alignment may reproduce selected native trochlear parameters more closely than systematic mechanical alignment, although rotational and implant-related mismatch persists. Improved anatomical reconstruction has not consistently translated into less anterior knee pain or better patient-reported outcomes. Native-like trochlear restoration remains a plausible biomechanical target, but its clinical benefit has not been established consistently across phenotypes and implant designs.

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Publication Details

Journal
Knee Surgery Sports Traumatology Arthroscopy
Published
2026-11-03
DOI
https://doi.org/10.1002/ksa.70678
Primary Topic
Total Knee Arthroplasty Outcomes
Type
article
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article

Patellofemoral considerations in kinematically aligned total knee arthroplasty: Three‐dimensional anatomy and implant‐related mismatch

Michele Malavolta, Luigi Sabatini, Pierfrancesco Orlandi, Alessandro Carrozzo et al.
Knee Surgery Sports Traumatology Arthroscopy
Total Knee Arthroplasty Outcomes
article

Patellofemoral considerations in kinematically aligned total knee arthroplasty: Three‐dimensional anatomy and implant‐related mismatch

Michele Malavolta, Luigi Sabatini, Pierfrancesco Orlandi, Alessandro Carrozzo, Iacopo Sassoli
article en

Abstract

This Editor's Note considers how three-dimensional trochlear morphology, extensor mechanism alignment, patellar reconstruction and implant geometry interact in kinematically aligned total knee arthroplasty (TKA). Imaging studies suggest that personalised alignment may reproduce selected native trochlear parameters more closely than systematic mechanical alignment, although rotational and implant-related mismatch persists. Improved anatomical reconstruction has not consistently translated into less anterior knee pain or better patient-reported outcomes. Native-like trochlear restoration remains a plausible biomechanical target, but its clinical benefit has not been established consistently across phenotypes and implant designs.

Knee Surgery Sports Traumatology Arthroscopy
Ospedale Humanitas Gradenigo (IT), Istituto Ortopedico Rizzoli (IT), Link Campus University (IT), Sapienza University of Rome (IT), University of Bologna (IT)
Openalex Percentile: Top 11%
Total Knee Arthroplasty Outcomes
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