Mechanical Axis Cannot Be Restored in Total Knee Arthroplasty With a Fixed Distal Valgus Resection Angle

Should most knees undergoing total knee arthroplasty (TKA) be cut with a distal resection angle of 5° or 6°? By retrospectively reviewing long-leg alignment radiographs, we sought to determine the variability in valgus cut angle (VCA), and the individual patient variables that affect the VCA necessary to restore the mechanical axis (MA).