Imagine a retired grandfather taking daily walks again without pain, or an injured athlete returning to the sport they love. Both stories are possible thanks to advances in medical devices that restore mobility and reduce recovery times.
One such innovation is the intramedullary (IM) femoral alignment jig, a precision-engineered surgical tool that is transforming joint replacement surgeries (especially knee replacements) and, in turn, helping people lead longer, more active lives. This blog post explores how devices like the IM Femoral Alignment Jig support mobility, accelerate recovery, and enable fulfilling lives for both ageing individuals and active populations.
We also discuss the growing demand for these surgical tools amid demographic and lifestyle shifts, and how advanced precision manufacturing (delivered by companies like Kirkstall Precision and the wide Kaleidex group) is key to meeting this demand.
The promise of mobility for all ages
An ageing population and a rise in sports-related injuries have made mobility a central concern for healthcare. In the UK, the population is steadily ageing, about 19% of people were 65 or older in 2022, a figure expected to climb sharply in coming years. By 2030, the UK will have over 15.5 million people in this 65+ age group, edging towards a quarter of the population.
Many of these older adults suffer from osteoarthritis or joint degeneration that severely limits their mobility and quality of life. Joint replacement surgeries (like total knee and hip replacements) have become common and highly effective solutions, relieving pain and restoring function for the vast majority of patients.
In fact, over 200,000 hip and knee replacements are performed each year in the UK, and these procedures dramatically reduce pain and disability, allowing patients to walk, climb stairs, and remain independent.
At the same time, today’s lifestyle trends emphasise staying active. People of all ages participate in sports, fitness, and outdoor activities, which is great for health but also leads to more injuries and orthopaedic issues. Studies show that sports injuries have surged – one analysis found the overall number of sports injuries increased by 37%, with knee injuries rising by 33%.
Many serious knee injuries (like ligament tears or cartilage damage) can accelerate joint wear and tear, sometimes leading younger patients to require surgical intervention such as ligament reconstructions or even partial joint replacements. These active individuals, whether professional athletes or weekend warriors, expect to recover quickly and get back in action. And they are the ones driving demand for advanced surgical techniques and devices that can repair or replace joints with minimal downtime.
Aiding precision in surgery.
Meeting the mobility needs of an ageing and active society depends not only on skilled surgeons but also on the quality of the surgical tools they use. One critical tool in knee replacement surgery is the Intramedullary (IM) Femoral Alignment Jig. This device is a type of surgical jig designed to guide the surgeon’s bone cuts on the femur (thigh bone) with extreme accuracy during a knee joint replacement.
It consists of a rod that fits into the hollow canal of the femur (the intramedullary canal) and an attached cutting guide. By anchoring inside the bone, the jig establishes a precise reference aligned with the patient’s anatomy. The surgeon then uses the jig to accurately resect (cut) the distal femur at the correct angle, ensuring that the artificial knee joint will be aligned to the leg’s mechanical axis.
Why is this important? Because even a few degrees of misalignment in a knee replacement can affect how the new joint bears weight and wears over time. Proper alignment of the implant is linked to better stability, less pain, and longer implant lifespan. Research confirms that clinical outcomes in total knee arthroplasty depend heavily on proper femoral component positioning, making the choice of femoral cutting guide (like the IM jig) crucial.
The IM femoral alignment method has been found to be one of the most accurate and reproducible ways to orient the femoral component during knee replacement. By using the intramedullary jig to guide the femoral resection, surgeons can more reliably achieve the intended alignment (typically a neutral or slight valgus angle) for the knee prosthesis. In fact, orthopedic experts advise aligning a knee replacement in neutral or slight valgus to give the patient the best chance at long-term implant survival.
In simpler terms, the IM Femoral Alignment Jig acts like a precision level and template inside the patient’s femur. It helps the surgeon cut the bone at exactly the right angle so that the new joint isn’t crooked or tilted. This precision is critical: a well-aligned knee implant will distribute forces evenly when the patient stands or walks, whereas a misaligned implant could lead to uneven wear or instability. By aiding accurate femoral resection, the jig directly contributes to the overall alignment of the new joint, which has a cascade of benefits for the patient.
Supporting mobility and faster recovery
Accurate alignment during surgery doesn’t just make the X-rays look neat, it has real impact on patient recovery and long-term mobility. When a knee replacement is aligned correctly, patients often experience a more natural gait and better joint function, which can translate to a smoother rehabilitation.
Medical studies have shown that patients whose knee replacements preserve their proper alignment report higher satisfaction, less pain, and better activity levels after surgery. In other words, when the implant is placed just right, people recover not only to walk again but to enjoy walking again, often with far less discomfort than before their operation.
The benefits are not just short-term. Good alignment also means long-term success: the artificial joint is less prone to uneven stress, which can reduce the risk of premature wear or loosening. This can extend the lifespan of the implant, delaying or even avoiding the need for revision surgery years down the line. For an older adult, that could mean their knee replacement lasts the rest of their life.
For a mid-life patient who gets a knee replacement to stay active, it means more years of pain-free hiking, cycling, or playing with grandkids before ever worrying about another procedure. All told, advanced surgical devices like the IM alignment jig help deliver knee surgeries that restore mobility, enable faster and fuller recovery, and promise durability – empowering patients to live longer, more fulfilling lives with the confidence that their new joint will support them.
Innovating for a healthier, active future.
Looking ahead, the demand for high-precision medical devices will only grow as the population continues to age and seek active lifestyles. Meeting this demand requires a marriage of medical insight and engineering innovation.
Kirkstall Precision is proud to be at this intersection, partnering with orthopaedic surgeons, medical device companies, and healthcare providers to deliver the tools that make modern surgeries possible. Whether it’s an IM Femoral Alignment Jig for a knee replacement or any number of other surgical instruments, our focus remains on driving innovation and reliability in medical manufacturing.
The result of this focus is tangible in people’s lives. A grandmother can dance at her granddaughter’s wedding because her knee replacement was guided with utmost accuracy. A middle-aged marathon enthusiast can run again after a well-aligned joint repair. A young athlete can have confidence that surgical hardware will support their return to play.
These success stories start with a vision of improving quality of life and are realized through precise execution at every step, from design, to manufacturing, to the skilled hands of a surgeon.
Medical devices like the IM Femoral Alignment Jig play a pivotal role in improving patient outcomes. They support mobility by enabling surgeries that eliminate pain and restore function. They reduce recovery time by facilitating surgical precision, leading to less invasive procedures and quicker rehab.
And they enable longer, more fulfilling lives by helping implants last longer and patients stay active into older age. As the healthcare sector rises to meet the needs of an ageing and active population, advanced precision engineering provided by companies like Kirkstall Precision is key.