On this episode, I sit back down with Dr. Nick Kennedy, complex knee surgeon, to wrap up this series on alignment and knee injuries.

We talk about when boot fitting, orthotics, and strength work can’t fully solve extreme knock-knee (valgus) or bow-leg (varus). We dig into “corrective alignment surgery”, how it intersects with skiing, and realistic timelines for getting back on snow—including after knee replacement.

We talk about:

✅ Structural vs. functional issues: long-leg x-rays, dynamic valgus, and when PT/boot tweaks are enough

✅ Unloaders & bracing you can ski with—and when they help (or don’t)

✅ Osteotomy (bone realignment) in adults: who it’s for, risks, and why Europe does more of them

✅ Uni vs. total knee replacement: how much alignment you can/should correct—and why “a little deformed” can be on purpose

✅ Return to skiing after TKA: modern implants, realistic timelines, and building the strength/control to ski well again

If you’ve wondered where boot fit ends and surgery begins—or what alignment correction means for your future on skis—this episode brings clarity without the scare tactics.

📌 Learn more about Dr. Nick → @nickthenemd | nickthenemd.com