In conventional total knee arthroplasty, the standard distal femoral cutting angle relative to the longitudinal axis of the femoral shaft is:

• A Neutral, 0 degrees, to create a flat distal surface
• B 5 to 7 degrees of valgus ✓
• C 3 degrees of varus
• D 10 degrees of valgus

Explanation

The normal femoral shaft has 5 to 7 degrees of anatomic valgus relative to the mechanical axis. Cutting the distal femur at 5 to 7 degrees of valgus recreates a distal articular surface perpendicular to the mechanical axis, restoring neutral lower limb alignment when combined with a perpendicular tibial cut. A varus cut produces varus malalignment with medial overload and early failure, while 10 degrees risks lateral condylar over-resection and instability.

Reference: Miller's Review of Orthopaedics, 8th ed.

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Written and medically reviewed by the StethoPrep medical team.