William D. Johnston
Papers
1
Total Citations
44
H-Index
1
About
William D. Johnston is a leading orthopedic surgeon and researcher whose work is reshaping how we approach knee arthritis—moving beyond one-size-fits-all total knee replacements toward joint-preserving, personalized solutions. His primary research areas include robotic-arm-assisted surgery, unicompartmental and bi-unicompartmental knee arthroplasty (UKA), and the biomechanics of knee alignment. Johnston’s most impactful contribution is his pioneering prospective randomized controlled trial comparing robotic arm-assisted bi-UKA with conventional total knee arthroplasty (TKA). This landmark study, cited 44 times, demonstrated that bi-UKA preserves the knee’s native anatomy and natural ligament function far better than TKA, challenging long-held assumptions about the necessity of full joint replacement. By showing that patients can retain their own cruciate ligaments and normal joint kinematics, Johnston has provided compelling evidence for a less invasive, more anatomical alternative. His work is driving a paradigm shift in knee surgery, offering younger, active patients a chance to delay or avoid TKA entirely. With a growing citation footprint, Johnston is recognized as a key voice in the robotic arthroplasty community, and his research continues to influence surgical decision-making worldwide.
Research Focus
Key Achievements
Top Papers
- 1