Empowr Dynamic Natural Alignment (DNA)

Empowr alignment instruments

Dynamic Surgical Technique

EMPOWR DNA began as a custom instrument initiative. Along the way, we identified critical limitations in mechanical kinematic alignment tools.

That prompted us to build a platform that removes unnecessary complexity—delivering an intuitive workflow, surgical efficiency, and the flexibility to meet patient needs.

Empowr knee with DNA graphic

Natural Kinematic Restoration

Patients rarely present with perfect mechanical alignment. Taking that variability into account, kinematic alignment seeks to restore each patient’s pre-arthritic joint anatomy—supporting a more natural feel after surgery.1

This is then coupled with the EMPOWR 3D Knee®, which was designed with focused research on the natural kinematic patterns of native knees – allowing for lateral pivot motion experienced in early flexion activities, and medial pivot motion during late flexion activities.2

Empowr knee with bones

Adaptive Alignment

DNA Instrumentation is designed to help surgeons optimize the femoral epicondylar axis of the femoral component. By referencing the distal anterior cortex, the system guides the cutting block up to 4 mm, helping accommodate a variety of patient anatomies.

By recreating the native joint line, patients may report:

  • More normal feeling postoperatively1
  • Faster recovery1,3
  • Less pain1,4,5
  • Improved activity6

Better Patient Outcomes

When it comes to natural motion, it’s in our DNA.

icons - knee with x-ray

Patients who receive KA are more likely to report that their replacement feels “normal”.4

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Patients report less pain postoperatively.4-6

icon - recovery

Patients with KA have faster recovery times and improved activity.7

DNA with Empowr knee
  1. Rivière C, Harman C, Boughton O,Cobb J. The Kinematic Alignment Technique for Total Knee Arthroplasty. 2020 Jul 1. In: Rivière C, Vendittoli PA, editors. Personalized Hip and Knee Joint Replacement [Internet]. Cham (CH): Springer; 2020. Chapter 16. Available from: https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK565753/ doi: 10.1007/978-3-030-24243-5_16
  2. Meneghini RM, Deckard ER, Ishmael MK, Ziemba-Davis M. A Dual-Pivot Pattern Simulating Native Knee Kinematics Optimizes Functional Outcomes After Total Knee Arthroplasty. J Arthroplasty. 2017 Oct;32(10):3009-3015. doi: 10.1016/j.arth.2017.04.050. Epub 2017 May 4. PMID: 28648702.
  3. Sarzaeem MM, Movahedinia M, Mirahmadi A, Abolghasemian M, Tavakoli M, Amouzadeh Omrani F. Kinematic Alignment Technique Outperforms Mechanical Alignment in Simultaneous Bilateral Total Knee Arthroplasty: A Randomized Controlled Trial. J Arthroplasty. 2024 Sep;39(9):2234-2240. doi:10.1016/j.arth.2024.03.045.
  4. Lung BE., Donnelly MR, McLellan M, Callan K, Amirhekmat A, McMaster WC, Yang S, So DH. Kinematic alignment may reduce opioid consumption and length of stay compared to mechanically aligned total knee arthroplasty. Orthopaedic Surgery. 2023; 15(2), 432–439.
  5. Elbuluk AM, Jerabek SA, Suhardi VJ, Sculco PK, Ast MP, Vigdorchik JM. Head-to-Head comparison of kinematic alignment versus mechanical alignment for total knee arthroplasty. Journal of Arthroplasty. 2022; 37(8S), S849–S851. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.arth.2022.01.052
  6. Sarzaeem MM, Movahedinia M, Mirahmadi A, Abolghasemian M, Tavakoli M, Amouzadeh Omrani F. Kinematic Alignment Technique Outperforms Mechanical Alignment in Simultaneous Bilateral Total Knee Arthroplasty: A Randomized Controlled Trial. J Arthroplasty. 2024 Sep;39(9):2234-2240. doi:10.1016/j.arth.2024.03.045.