David F. Scott, MD, of Spokane, Wash.-based Orthopaedic Specialty Clinic, is researching a new anatomical approach to total knee replacement in place of the more traditional mechanical alignment method.
Here are five details:
1. Dr. Scott has begun to use the anatomical approach in his surgical technique, which is a variation of the kinematic alignment method developed by Stephen Howell, MD, in 2005.
2. Building from the kinematic alignment technique, Dr. Scott is creating implants designed specifically for total knee arthroplasty by using an anatomical approach rather than the more traditional mechanical alignment method.
3. With the anatomical approach, the implant is placed in the native joint line of the patient's knee using anatomic landmarks to guide the orientation of the prosthetic components to restore the joint to its pre-arthritic position and function.
4. "My research shows an anatomic approach can work very well — that a more anatomic knee implant design, coupled with an anatomic approach to the surgical procedure itself, produces the best results ever seen with TKA," Dr. Scott said.
5. Dr. Scott published his latest research in a paper for the Journal of Arthroplasty in May.