The Asymmetry Advantage: Why a “Perfectly Balanced” Knee Isn’t Always Best

New data reveals why a slightly looser lateral compartment leads to better patient outcomes.

Total knee arthroplasty (TKA) continues to demonstrate great outcomes; however, approximately one in five patients remains dissatisfied beyond 1-year follow-up. Advanced technologies, such as computer assistance, robotics, and smart sensors, have reduced implant placement outliers, allowing for improved surgical precision; however, intraoperative targets for implant placement and soft-tissue balance have yet to be defined.

These targets are commonly referred to as the “holy grail” of modern TKA, which may lead to the ultimate goal of re-creating native knee kinematics and, in turn, improvements in patient outcomes.