Knee arthroplasty is more like hip resurfacing than it is like hip replacement - you really have to understand each stage in a relatively complex sequence, and if you get it wrong, it's not particularly forgiving. Likewise, if you understand each step then you can deal with the unexpected more easily and go off piste with a bit of freehand - if you have to (disclaimer: I am not promoting freehand knee replacement).
There are two keys to this in my view, once you're in the knee. One is understanding the PCL and its role in knee arthritis and knee replacement design. The other is the absolutely fundamental issue of mastering the flexion/extension gap. Wannabe knee surgeons have no excuse for getting the latter wrong.
The first piece is a chapter in a textbook from about 2001, which offers a practical take
As always, you learn more if you get two perspectives on the same topic. I read the second paper here back in the 90's, and I still think it's great, from the excellent AAOS review journal
For the record, I do a PCL sacrificing knee for pretty much ALL primary cases (and most revisions) - it works with almost any deformity and the fully audited long term outcomes are terrific.
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