Innovations in Knee Surgery: Advances in Arthroplasty, Oncological Reconstruction, and Implant Technology

Knee surgery has undergone substantial transformation over the past decade, driven by parallel advances in implant design, biomaterials science, surgical technique, and infection management. Despite high overall success rates in primary knee arthroplasty, key challenges persist — among them the rising incidence of periprosthetic joint infection (PJI), the need for reliable early biomarkers to guide diagnosis and treatment decisions, and the growing demand for durable reconstructive solutions in patients undergoing limb-salvage surgery for musculoskeletal tumours of the distal femur and proximal tibia.



At the same time, next-generation biomaterials — including bioabsorbable magnesium alloys, brushite-coated titanium implants, and ceramic composite surfaces — are redefining the biological interface between implant and host bone, with direct implications for primary stability, osseointegration, and long-term survivorship. Computer-assisted planning, patient-specific instrumentation, and robotic-assisted systems are further reshaping the surgical workflow, offering the prospect of improved alignment, reduced variability, and better functional outcomes across both elective and oncological settings.



This Research Topic aims to consolidate current evidence and highlight emerging directions across the full spectrum of knee surgery innovation, with particular emphasis on:



Diagnosis and management of periprosthetic joint infection: serum and synovial biomarkers, novel threshold criteria, and treatment algorithms

Biomaterials and implant coatings: magnesium alloys, titanium surface modifications, and biodegradable constructs for enhanced osseointegration

Oncological knee reconstruction: limb-salvage strategies, megaprosthesis design and survivorship, and functional outcomes after distal femur or proximal tibia resection

Revision arthroplasty: indications, bone stock management, and outcomes in complex cases

Minimally invasive and robotic-assisted approaches: technique refinements and their impact on alignment, recovery, and patient-reported outcomes

Rehabilitation and functional recovery: early mobilisation protocols, outcome measurement, and return-to-activity benchmarks

Article types and fees

This Research Topic accepts the following article types, unless otherwise specified in the Research Topic description:

• Brief Research Report
• Case Report
• Clinical Trial
• Curriculum, Instruction, and Pedagogy
• Data Report
• Editorial
• FAIR² Data
• General Commentary
• Hypothesis and Theory
• ... View all formats

Articles that are accepted for publication by our external editors following rigorous peer review incur a publishing fee charged to Authors, institutions, or funders.

Article types

This Research Topic accepts the following article types, unless otherwise specified in the Research Topic description:

• Brief Research Report
• Case Report
• Clinical Trial
• Curriculum, Instruction, and Pedagogy
• Data Report
• Editorial
• FAIR² Data
• General Commentary
• Hypothesis and Theory
• Methods
• Mini Review
• Opinion
• Original Research
• Perspective
• Review
• Study Protocol
• Systematic Review
• Technology and Code

Keywords: knee arthroplasty, periprosthetic joint infection, limb salvage surgery, megaprosthesis, biomaterials, osseointegration

Important note: All contributions to this Research Topic must be within the scope of the section and journal to which they are submitted, as defined in their mission statements. Frontiers reserves the right to guide an out-of-scope manuscript to a more suitable section or journal at any stage of peer review.