Patellar complications in total knee replacement

Abstract

Over the past 26 years there have been marked changes in total knee arthroplasty components. Combinations of metal and polyethylene have been used in a variety of ways in the development of the three major components of the knee prosthesis. The metal-backed patellar implant that was considered state-of-the-art in the early 1980s soon came under criticism due to the high rate of failure and subsequent revision. A closer look at patellar resurfacing may suggest that some patellar compartments do just as well without being resurfaced.