CASTEL SAN PIETRO, Switzerland, December 18, 2025 – Medacta Group SA ("Medacta," SIX: MOVE) proudly announces the Japanese launch of GMK SpheriKA, the first and only knee implant optimized for Kinematic Alignment, following its successful introduction in Europe and in the United States. GMK SpheriKA was officially presented during the Japanese Knee Society (JKS) Annual Meeting in Himeji, Japan. This new milestone underscores Medacta's commitment to advancing patient satisfaction in Total Knee Replacement, setting a new benchmark for outcomes in one of the world's most advanced orthopedic markets.
"The wide trochlear groove of the GMK SpheriKA has allowed me to expand my indications for Kinematic Alignment knee replacement to serve a broader range of anatomies and treat a wider spectrum of patients and clinical scenarios," said Dr. Yoshinori Soda. "The optimized shape and profile of the GMK SpheriKA, particularly on the posterior condyles, make the implant more surgeon-friendly and better aligned with the anatomical profiles frequently observed in Japanese patients," commented Dr. Kazuhiro Michishita.
Introduced by Dr. Stephen M. Howell, Kinematic Alignment (KA) is a surgical technique that resurfaces the knee, with the goal of restoring its pre-arthritic condition. Rooted in these principles, Medacta designed GMK SpheriKA, the first and only implant optimized for KA.
"Our primary goal as surgeons is to help patients forget they had surgery," stated Dr. Stephen M. Howell. "By using implants that closely mimic the natural knee shape and utilizing Kinematic Alignment (KA), we can offer the patient a KA-optimized TKA. This approach not only improves patient satisfaction to levels similar to total hip replacement but also enhances ACL/PCL stability, potentially restoring athletic function."
Dr. Howell's recently published clinical study[1] confirmed that patients undergoing Total Knee Replacement with GMK SpheriKA and Kinematic Alignment can achieve satisfaction levels comparable to those of Total Hip Replacement, which has been historically associated with higher post-surgery outcomes. This milestone closes the gap in patient satisfaction between the two procedures.
Built upon the solid clinical history of the GMK Sphere Ball-in-Socket design, GMK SpheriKA has been designed to offer patients an implant that feels natural and stable during everyday activities. It also helps surgeons accommodate a broader range of anatomies while optimizing knee function and improving overall stability, addressing some of the key limitations found in conventional knee replacement designs.
With more than 10 years of success with Kinematic Alignment and Ball-in-Socket innovation, Medacta continues to lead the way in research, development, and education that drive advancements in Total Knee Replacement. Through the MyKA platform, the company offers a comprehensive portfolio including GMK SpheriKA, dedicated instruments, and enabling technologies such as MyKnee and NextAR Knee, part of Medacta's MySolutions Personalized Ecosystem, all supported by the comprehensive and tailored educational programs of the M.O.R.E. Institute.
