Background: Kinematic alignment (KA) restores native limb alignment following total knee arthroplasty (TKA). The association of this technique with a medial pivot implant design attempts to re-establish the physiological kinematics of the knee. This study aims to analyze the clinical and radiological outcomes of patients undergoing MP-TKA with kinematic alignment and to assess the effect of limb alignment on the clinical outcomes.
Methods: We retrospectively analyzed 55 patients who underwent kinematic aligned medial pivot TKA from September 2018 to January 2020. Patient-related outcomes (PROMs) were collected at baseline, 3, 12, and 24 months after surgery. Long-standing weight-bearing radiographs were performed three months after surgery.
Results: We demonstrated a significant improvement in clinical outcomes from 3 months after surgery up to 24 months of follow-up. This clinical improvement was independent of limb alignment. The radiological analysis showed that the patient's native limb alignment was restored and that their joint line orientation was parallel to the floor.
Conclusion: The association of kinematic alignment and a medial pivot TKA implant allows for a fast recovery, with good clinical and functional outcomes up to a minimum of 2 years of follow-up, independent of the final limb alignment.
Keywords: kinematic alignment; knee osteoarthritis; medial pivot; total knee arthroplasty.