Virtual Joint Motion Simulator Accurately Predicts Effects of Femoral Component Malalignment during TKA

Abstract

Component alignment accuracy during total knee arthroplasty (TKA) has been improving through the adoption of image-based navigation and robotic surgical systems. The biomechanical implications of resulting component alignment error, however, should be better characterized to better understand how sensitive surgical outcomes are to alignment error. Thus, means for analyzing the relationships between alignment, joint kinematics, and ligament mechanics for candidate prosthesis component design are necessary. We used a digital twin of a commercially available joint motion simulator to evaluate the effects of femoral component rotational alignment. As anticipated, the model showed that an externally rotated femoral component results in a knee which is more varus in flexion, with lower medial collateral ligament tension compared to a TKA knee with a neutrally aligned femoral implant. With the simulation yielding logical results for this relatively simple test scenario, we can have more confidence in the accuracy of its predictions for more complicated scenarios.