A joint balancing insert with an actuated mechanism is for balancing a joint during a joint surgery is disclosed. The joint balancing insert includes a first plate (150), a second plate (110) and an actuator (180) there between. The second plate includes an integrated mounting portion (108) for mounting a cutting block used to guide surgical cuts of the joint during the joint surgery. Various configurations of the integrated mounting portion may be implemented in the insert to provide for mounting various types of cutting blocks, such as cutting blocks for tibial cuts, femoral cuts, and distal femoral cuts.
