CASTEL SAN PIETRO, July 24, 2025 - Medacta Group SA (“Medacta” SIX: MOVE) is pleased to announce a new milestone in knee surgery: patients undergoing Total Knee Replacement (TKR) with the GMK SpheriKA implant using the Kinematic Alignment (KA) technique are reporting levels of satisfaction comparable to those of Total Hip Replacement (THR) [1].
Until now, studies have shown that approximately 20% of TKR patients report low satisfaction outcomes with the standard of care. This highlights a gap compared with the higher satisfaction levels observed in THR procedures [2,3,4].
“One of our main goals as surgeons is to allow patients to forget that they ever had surgery,” stated Dr. Howell. “Thanks to combining a KA-optimized implant design that mimics the conformity of the native knee with caliper-verified Kinematic Alignment, we’re now able to return patients closely to their pre-arthritic state, giving them greater overall satisfaction and the potential for athletic function.”
The clinical study, led by Dr. Stephen M. Howell in Lodi, California, evaluated outcomes in 127 patients who underwent TKR with Kinematic Alignment and Medacta’s GMK SpheriKA. The study used the Forgotten Joint Score (FJS), a widely used Patient-Reported Outcome Measure (PROM), to assess the ultimate goal of orthopedic surgeons: the ability for patients to forget about having an implant during daily activities [4]. After at least two years, these patients reported FJS scores similar to those of Total Hip Replacement (THR), suggesting a comparable level of joint function and comfort.
Kinematic Alignment is a surgical technique introduced by Dr. Howell that revolutionized and set a new standard for TKR. KA resurfaces the knee while carefully respecting each patient's natural leg alignment, allowing it to return to its healthy pre-arthritic condition. Based on these principles, Medacta designed GMK SpheriKA, the first and only implant optimized for KA.
Built upon the solid clinical history of the GMK Sphere Ball-in-Socket design, GMK SpheriKA offers patients an implant that feels more natural and stable during everyday activities. It also helps surgeons accommodate a broader range of anatomies while optimizing knee function and improving overall stability, addressing some of the key limitations found in conventional knee replacement designs [5].
“We are proud to celebrate this milestone that closes the gap in patient satisfaction between knee and hip replacement,” said Francesco Siccardi, CEO of Medacta. “Our unwavering commitment to improving patient outcomes is supported by a strategic focus on collaboration with expert surgeons, which fuels our vigorous pursuit of out-of-the-box thinking innovations for minimally invasive techniques and personalized solutions.”
As Medacta celebrates 10 years of success with Kinematic Alignment and Ball-in-Socket innovation, the publication of this study stands as the crowning achievement, a scientific validation of a decade dedicated to improving patient satisfaction in TKA [6,7,8]. Leveraging the synergy between KA and the Ball-in-Socket design, Medacta has been a pioneer in Kinematic Alignment, leading the way in research, development, and education.
Medacta supports surgeons who want to adopt Medacta’s Ball-in-Socket with Kinematic Alignment through MyKA, the most comprehensive platform for Kinematic Alignment. MyKA includes GMK SpheriKA, dedicated instruments, and cutting-edge technologies, MyKnee and NextAR Knee, which are part of our MySolutions Personalized Ecosystem. To ensure every surgeon is fully equipped and confident, the M.O.R.E. Institute offers expert training and personalized education.
With Medacta, the surgeon is never alone, and the patient is always at the center.
CONTACT
ABOUT MEDACTA
Medacta is a global key player specializing in the design, production, and distribution of innovative, personalized, and sustainable solutions for joint replacement, sports medicine, and spine surgery. Established in 1999 in Switzerland, Medacta is committed to improving the care and well-being of patients and maintains a strong focus on healthcare sustainability. Through close collaboration with expert surgeons globally, continuous investments in R&D, and the adoption of cutting-edge technologies, Medacta’s innovation prioritizes minimally invasive surgery and personalized solutions for every patient. Through the M.O.R.E. Institute, Medacta supports surgeons with a comprehensive and tailored program dedicated to the advancement of medical education. Medacta is headquartered in Castel San Pietro, Switzerland, and operates in over 70 countries. Follow us on Medacta.com, Medacta TV, YouTube, LinkedIn and X.
RELATED TRADEMARKS
Medacta Group Related Trademarks are registered at least in Switzerland. The products and services listed below may not be all-inclusive, and other Medacta products and services not listed below may be covered by one or more trademarks. The products and services listed below may be covered by additional trademarks not listed below. Note that Swiss trademarks may have foreign counterparts. GMK® Sphere, GMK® SpheriKA, MyKA™, MyKnee®, NextAR™ Knee, MySolutions™ Personalized Ecosystem.
References
