AFOR Experts' Knee Symposium

The Mechanical Axis: Myth or Reality?

29. 05. 2013 – 30. 05. 2013

Dear colleagues,

Total Knee Arthroplasty (TKA) is one of the most challenging topics in Orthopaedic Surgery. With high success rates it suggests restoration of patient activity, life quality and dramatic improvement for an aging population.

However, similarly treated patients show differences in TKA performance and overall patient satisfaction still does not meet similar levels to hip arthroplasty.

Why is that? Do we understand anatomy and kinematics of the knee correctly? Could there be a high difference between individuals? To continuously improve we may have to reconsider current laws and rules established in knee surgery. There is already some evidence suggesting the importance of individual axes compared to the classic mechanical axis.

AFOR has decided to dedicate most of their resources during the next decade to one comprehensive topic: understanding and reviewing the classic laws of knee alignment: The AFOR Kinematic Decade 2013 – 2023: »Explore and supply evidence for or against classic laws of trunk and lower extremity anatomy, kinematics, joint physiology and treatment consequences«
To kick off the Kinematic Decade, AFOR invites all professionals in the broad field of knee surgery to Lucerne from May 29 – May 30 2013. Based on the highly successful Lucerne Knee Courses 2010 – 2012 we will discuss new and old thinking in this classic Orthopaedic field with a highly recognised international faculty. We will listen to lessons learned from the past and watch the projects designed for the future.

Lucerne in late spring is a wonderful place for a short get away and reflection of our current understanding of Total Knee Arthroplasty. We hope to see you in Lucerne!

Prof. Dr. H. Windhagen

Organizer AFOR Stiftung
Association for Orthopaedic Research
Management Prof. Dr. med. Henning Windhagen, Hannover
Prof. Dr. med. Reinhard Windhager, Vienna
Prof. Dr. med. Gunther O. Hofmann, Halle, Jena
Prof. Dr. med. Dieter Kohn, Homburg
Location

AMTS – Academy for Medical Training and Simulation
Cantonal Hospital Lucerne
6000 Lucerne 16

Fee

Participation fee: 360,00 EUR
includes course fee, course documents, dinner on Wednesday for one person, accommodation from 29th to 30th May 2013

Wednesday, 29. 05. 2013

12.30 – 02.00 pm
Registration

SESSION 1
Fundamentals of Mechanical Axis Theory

02.00 – 02.20 pm
History of mechanical axis philosophy

02.20 – 02.40 pm
TKA Alignment MR:
reliability of landmarks

02.40 – 03.00 pm
TKA Alignment philosophy:
gap balancing

03.00 – 03.20 pm
Bicondylar knee design rationale:
J + Single radius

03.20 – 03.40 pm
UKA
orientation and alignment principles

03.40 – 04.20 pm
coffee break

SESSION 2
Alternatives to Mechanical Axis Alignment

04.20 – 04.40 pm
Key factors of TKA patient satisfaction

04.40 – 05.00 pm
Physiological vs. Pathological
varus/valgus?

05.00 – 05.20 pm
The 3° Dogma in Knee Alignment

05.20 – 05.40 pm
TKA-Alignment and implant survival

05.40 – 06.00 pm
Is neutral alignment an outcome predictor?
A. Kurth

06.00 – 06.30 pm
Case presentations

07.30 pm
course dinner

Thursday, 30. 05. 2013

SESSION 3
Evidence Supporting Individual Axis TKA

08.00 – 08.20 am
Kinematic Alignment Principles

08.20 – 08.40 am
Technology for transcylindrical axis finding

08.40 – 09.00 am
Patient selection for Individual Axis TKA

09.00 – 09.20 pm
Results of Kinematic Alignment

09.20 – 09.40 pm
Does the axis debate affect knee design?

09.40 – 10.20 am
Workshops and seminars

12.00 – 01.00 pm
Cross fire & Podium
Future directions in knee axis considerations and TKA design

01.00 pm
Light Lunch and Farewell