Patient-specific templates for total knee arthroplasty

Abstract

Advances in computer-assisted techniques, such as patient-specific templates (PSTs), have revolutionized total knee arthroplasty (TKA). Available clinically for more than a decade, PSTs have a TKA success rate comparable to that of traditional knee replacement and that with navigation. With its accurate preoperative calculations, PST allows precise, atraumatic bone cutting and optimal mechanical axis and limb alignment. A surgical procedure may be planned, or the plan supervised, by the surgeon. In addition, the surgery itself can be simulated a priori to confirm the best fit of the template and determine the accurate amount and shape of the subsequent bone cutting. Manufacturing the templates has been made easier with the availability of three-dimensional printers and printing materials. This chapter outlines the history of the development, as well as the clinical and technical setups, of PSTs for use in TKA.