What is a total knee replacement (TKR)? Why is knee alignment important during knee replacement surgery?

Total knee replacement (TKR), also called total knee arthroplasty (TKA), is a surgery in which a damaged knee joint is replaced with an artificial implant. Proper leg alignment is an important part of a successful knee replacement and can help the implant perform well over time. Good alignment helps optimize how forces are distributed across the knee. Poor alignment may increase stress on the joint, contribute to implant wear or loosening, and affect how well the knee functions.