The kinematic alignment (KA) technique for total knee arthroplasty (TKA) and the medial pivot (MP) component design are two options promoting a physiologic prosthetic knee kinematics when used in combination that could improve TKA outcomes. Case-control study is initiated to compare the 1-year radio-clinical outcomes between kinematic alignment medial pivot total knee arthroplasty (KA MP-TKAs) and mechanical alignment medial pivot total knee arthroplasty (MA MP-TKA). Goal of a study was to answer the following questions: Do KA MP-TKAs patients have improved functional outcomes compared to MA MP-TKAs patients? (Q1); Do prosthetic knee and lower limb alignments differ between KA and MA patients (Q2)? And does kinematic implantation of MP TKA has higher risk of reoperations and revisions (Q3)?

A case-control study was carried out to compare the 1-year clinical and radiographic outcomes between 24 consecutive KA-TKA patients and 24 matched MA-TKA patients. All patients had implantation with manual instruments and a cemented medial pivot TKA with excision of the PCL. All data were collected prospectively, and outcome scores were patient reported.

KA patients had superior values in Forgotten Joint Score (FJS) at 1-year (KA 77 vs. MA 51) (p=0.05) follow-up. After one year KA patients scored better in objective section of the new Knee Society Score (KSS) (p=0.02), and in sport section of the Knee Osteoarthritis Outcome Score (KOOS) (p=0.01). Eleven out of 24 patients (46%) in KA group and 7/24 patients (29%) in MA group had limb alignment out of 180°±3°, whereas 17/24 (70%) of KA patients, and 14/24 (58%) of MA patients had orientation of tibial component with more than 3° of varus. No reoperation or revision occurred in either group.

The KA of MP TKA design seems to have a good efficacy at early-term, with some 1-year functional performance higher to the ones from MA MP TKAs. Further research is needed to define if those early results will last over time.

III, case-controlled study.