Validation of distal femur preparation using a universal cutting guide for a Total Knee Arthroplasty

A Total Knee Arthroplasty (TKA) requires instrumentation for limb alignment and component positioning. Five separate bone cuts are needed in order to prepare the distal femur for implant acceptance. Currently, Stryker Corporation uses 8 different sized cutting guides in surgical kits to match the patient´s distal femur. These cutting guides restrict the movement of the surgical saw in order to determine cut positions. Our team has designed a universal cutting guide instrument for TKA procedures to restore limb alignment and place components accurately. The new device was validated by performing mock TKA procedures using femoral trial components positioned on sawbones for each size implant (1-8). The implementation of a universal cutting guides will reduce the amount of surgical instrumentation and decrease operative time without effecting accuracy and alignment.