Objective To summarize the research progress of the causes and prevention methods of anterior femoral notching in total knee arthroplasty (TKA). Methods The related literature at home and abroad about the causes and prevention methods of the anterior femoral notching in TKA was extensively reviewed and summarized. Results The reasons for the occurrence of anterior femoral notching can be summarized as follows: the application of the posterior reference technique, the increase of the posterior condylar angle, the variant anatomical shape of anterior femoral cortex, the selective reduction of the femoral prosthesis size, backward movement of the entrance point, and the application of computer-assisted navigation technology or patient-specific instrumentation. To prevent the occurrence of anterior femoral notching, programs such as flex the femoral prosthesis, robot-assisted technology, and anterior and posterior reference techniques combination can be used. Conclusion Anterior femoral notching is a common surgical complication of TKA. A complete preoperative plan, assessment of the patient’s knee joint condition, and development of a reasonable surgical plan can effectively reduce the occurrence of anterior femoral notching.