A method for aligning a bone cutting guide on a tibia may involve coupling a cutting guide alignment device and an attached cutting guide with a tibia, adjusting the alignment device in a varus/valgus orientation, adjusting the alignment device in an anterior/posterior orientation, attaching the cutting guide to the tibia, and removing the alignment device from the cutting guide, leaving the cutting guide attached to the tibia. The adjustments to the alignment device may be made according to vertically and horizontally oriented laser lights emitted from the alignment device. As the alignment device is adjusted, the bone cutting guide attached to the alignment device changes position relative to the tibia.