Patient-matched cutting guides are custom surgical templates made to fit one person’s knee anatomy. They help surgeons position and guide bone cuts during knee replacement surgery. They are most commonly used in total knee arthroplasty (total knee replacement) and sometimes in partial knee replacement. They are created from preoperative imaging, then manufactured to match the contours of the femur and tibia.
A Cutting block is a surgical guide that helps a surgeon make planned bone cuts accurately. It is most commonly used during knee replacement surgery and some other reconstructive procedures. The device is positioned on bone so cutting instruments can follow a controlled path. Its goal is precision and repeatability rather than treatment by itself.
An Extramedullary alignment guide is a surgical instrument used to help align bone cuts during knee surgery. It works from outside the bone, using external landmarks rather than a rod placed inside the bone canal. It is most commonly used during total knee arthroplasty (knee replacement), especially on the tibia (shinbone). Its goal is to help the surgeon position implants in a more planned, consistent way.
An Intramedullary alignment rod is a surgical instrument placed inside the hollow center (“canal”) of a bone to help guide alignment. It is commonly used during knee surgery to position cutting guides and implants accurately. In the knee, it is most often associated with aligning the femur (thigh bone) during total knee replacement. It is typically a temporary tool used during the operation, not an implant meant to stay in the body.
A Laminar spreader is a handheld surgical instrument designed to gently separate (distract) tissues or bony surfaces. It uses two flat “blades” and a controlled spreading mechanism to create working space. It is commonly used in orthopedic surgery, including procedures around the knee, to improve exposure and help with alignment or reduction. It is a temporary tool used during an operation and is removed before the procedure ends.
A Spacer block is a tool or temporary implant used to create or measure space inside a joint. It is most commonly discussed in knee replacement surgery and revision knee surgery. It helps surgeons assess how the knee “gaps” open in extension and flexion. In some infection cases, a spacer may also be left in the knee temporarily between staged operations.
Trial components are temporary implant parts used during joint replacement surgery to test fit and function. They help the surgical team choose the final implant size and position before permanent parts are placed. They are most commonly used in knee replacement procedures, including total and partial knee arthroplasty.
Extension gap is the space and soft-tissue “tension window” in the knee when the knee is fully straight (in extension). It is most commonly discussed during total knee replacement (total knee arthroplasty, TKA) and complex knee reconstruction. Clinicians use it to describe how the femur and tibia relate after bone preparation and soft-tissue balancing. In plain terms, it helps the surgical team judge whether the straightened knee will feel stable, smooth, and appropriately tight.
Flexion gap is the space between the thigh bone (femur) and shin bone (tibia) when the knee is bent. It is most commonly discussed during total knee replacement and other knee reconstructive procedures. Clinicians use it to describe how “open” or “tight” the knee feels in bending and how stable it is. In simple terms, it helps surgeons match knee motion with knee stability.
Gap symmetry is a way of describing how evenly the knee “opens” on the inside and outside when it is straight and when it is bent. It is most commonly discussed during knee replacement surgery planning and technique. Clinicians use it to describe balance between the ligaments and the joint surfaces. In simple terms, it aims for a stable knee that does not feel too tight on one side or too loose on the other.