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About

Rupert van Rooyen is a leading orthopaedic surgeon and researcher whose work focuses on advancing total knee arthroplasty (TKA) through precision alignment techniques and robotic-assisted surgery. His primary research areas include functional versus mechanical alignment in knee replacement, soft tissue balancing, and the clinical application of robotic-arm technology to improve patient outcomes. Van Rooyen’s most notable contribution is his leadership of a randomized controlled trial comparing functional alignment (FA) with mechanical alignment (MA), published in 2025, which has already garnered 36 citations. This study challenges the long-standing gold standard of MA by demonstrating that FA—which integrates kinematic principles with pre-resection bone balancing—may reduce postoperative dissatisfaction. His earlier prospective trial (2022, 18 citations) further solidified his impact, using Stryker Mako robotic-arm technology to compare soft tissue release balancing with bony resection balancing. By rigorously evaluating these techniques, van Rooyen has provided critical evidence for more personalized, patient-specific approaches in TKA. His work is widely cited by surgeons and researchers seeking to optimize alignment strategies, reduce complications, and enhance functional recovery. Van Rooyen continues to shape the future of joint replacement surgery through innovative, data-driven research.