Functional alignment minimizes changes to joint line obliquity in robotic-assisted total knee arthroplasty: a CT analysis of functional versus kinematic alignment in 2,116 knees using the Coronal Plane Alignment of the Knee (CPAK) classification

Aims Functional alignment (FA) in total knee arthroplasty (TKA) aims to achieve balanced gaps by adjusting implant positioning while minimizing changes to constitutional joint line obliquity (JLO). Although FA uses kinematic alignment (KA) as a starting point, the final implant positions can vary significantly between these two approaches. This study used the Coronal Plane Alignment of the Knee (CPAK) classification to compare differences between KA and final FA positions. Methods A retrospective analysis compared pre-resection and post-implantation alignments in 2,116 robotic-assisted FA TKAs. The lateral distal femoral angle (LDFA) and medial proximal tibial angle (MPTA) were measured to determine the arithmetic hip-knee-ankle angle (aHKA = MPTA - LDFA), JLO (JLO = MPTA + LDFA), and CPAK type. The primary outcome was the proportion of knees that varied <= 2 degrees for aHKA and <= 3 degrees for JLO from their KA to FA positions, and direction and magnitude of those changes per CPAK phenotype. Secondary outcomes included proportion of knees that maintained their CPAK phenotype, and differences between sexes. Results Overall, 71.6% had an aHKA change <= 2 degrees, and 87.0% a JLO change <= 3 degrees. Mean aHKA changed from-1.1 degrees (SD 2.8 degrees) in KA to-1.9 degrees (SD 2.3 degrees) in FA (mean difference (MD)-0.83 (SD 2.0); p < 0.001). Mean JLO changed from 173.9 degrees (SD 3.0 degrees) in KA to 174.2 degrees (SD 2.6 degrees) in FA (MD 0.38 (SD 2.3); p < 0.001). CPAK type was maintained in 58.1% of knees, with the proportion highest for Types I (73.9%), II(61.1%), and IV (51.2%). In valgus knees, 67.5% of Type III and 71.7% of Type VI were shifted to neutral phenotypes. There was minimal change to constitutional JLO across all CPAK types (MDs-2.0 degrees to 1.2 degrees). Conclusion Functional alignment may alter CPAK type, but does not significantly change JLO. A kinematic starting point minimizes changes to native anatomy, while final position with FA provides an optimally balanced TKA.