This editorial reprises the pioneering work of Jan Mikulicz‑Radecki (1850-1905) — a major figure in surgical history — and draws connections to how his principles continue to inform and inspire modern knee orthopaedics. It invites the reader to reflect on surgical legacy, innovation, and the enduring foundations underlying today’s alignment, joint-preservation, and deformity correction strategies.
Key themes highlighted by the authors
- Mikulicz-Radecki’s emphasis on anatomy, precision, and surgical innovation is paralleled in current knee surgery: alignment correction, joint-line preservation, osteotomy planning.
- The editorial underscores how historical surgical figures underpin modern approaches to lower-limb alignment, joint mechanics, and personalised surgical decision-making.
- It advocates for recognising the “functional knee phenotype” concept (how native alignment varies) and relates this back to surgical foresight of early pioneers.
- It presents a call for orthopaedic surgeons to maintain both technical excellence and foundational anatomical education as hallmarks of quality care.
Implications for current knee orthopaedics practice
- Surgeons are reminded to honour anatomical principles: understanding where deformity begins, recognising joint-line obliquity, appreciating patient-specific alignment rather than generic “neutral” targets.
- The piece challenges practitioners to view corrective osteotomies, alignment strategies and joint preservation not just as mechanical solutions but as part of a continuing surgical legacy that blends innovation and anatomy.
- It suggests the field must balance “new technology” (navigation, robotics, patient-specific instruments) with the timeless surgical tenets laid down by figures like Mikulicz-Radecki.
Take-home messages
- Historical surgical insight remains highly relevant: Mikulicz-Radecki’s commitment to anatomy, surgical precision and innovation still speak to modern knee surgeons.
- Corrective knee surgery (osteotomy, alignment correction, joint preservation) should always be grounded in anatomy, not just devices or trends.
- Honor the legacy by maintaining surgical craftsmanship, patient-specific planning, and anatomical respect — principles that endure beyond any single technology or implant.
