Total knee arthroplasty without patellar resurfacing

Abstract

One hundred and eleven total knee replacements without patellar resurfacing were followed-up for a minimum of 48.8 months (range 48.8-108.2 months; average 78.2 months). Evaluation was performed using the Knee Society Clinical Rating System (KS-CRS). Preoperatively, the mean knee score was 34.3 points and the mean function score was 42.2 points. Postoperatively, this knee score improved to a mean of 91.1 points and the function score improved to mean of 89.6 points at the most recent follow-up. There were no significant differences among the knees with mild, moderate, or severe degenerative change to the patella with regard to the preoperative (p=0.83) and postoperative (p=0.39) knee pain score. It seems likely that the postoperative knee pain is not related to the severity of degenerative change to the patella in total knee arthroplasties performed without patellar resurfacing, and none of those patients required patellar resurfacing to achieve knee pain relief.

Fig. 1

This photograph shows the Nex-Gen femoral component. The patellar groove is deepened and extended further posteriorly. The lateral femoral flange surface was extended further to provide full support of the lateral patellar facet

Fig. 2

The patellofemoral joint was well preserved based on radiographs at a 3 and b 5 years’ follow-up and the lateral patellar facet is well supported