This 2002 narrative review by Favorito, Mihalko, and Krackow synthesizes the pathologic anatomy, intraoperative decision-making framework, and published clinical outcomes for TKA in knees with valgus deformity — addressing what makes this patient population technically distinct and how to systematically approach correction.
When you encounter a valgus knee in TKA, default to the Whiteside AP axis for femoral rotation (not the posterior condylar axis), release the LCL first for controlled lateral correction, and have a MCL advancement technique ready if medial laxity persists after lateral releases — highly constrained implants are a last resort, not a bailout for incomplete balancing.
This 2002 narrative review by Favorito, Mihalko, and Krackow synthesizes the pathologic anatomy, intraoperative decision-making framework, and published clinical outcomes for TKA in knees with valgus deformity — addressing what makes this patient population technically distinct and how to systematically approach correction.
When you encounter a valgus knee in TKA, default to the Whiteside AP axis for femoral rotation (not the posterior condylar axis), release the LCL first for controlled lateral correction, and have a MCL advancement technique ready if medial laxity persists after lateral releases — highly constrained implants are a last resort, not a bailout for incomplete balancing.