Abstract
Introduction: Patellar management and related complications remain a major concern in total knee arthroplasty. Multiple problems can ensue in both resurfaced (fracture, loosening) and non-resurfaced patellae (pain).
Objective: We aim to evaluate the impact of secondary patellar resurfacing in patients with patellar related anterior knee pain having undergone a mobile bearing primary total knee arthroplasty without resurfacing.
Materials and methods: 2950 primary LCS mobile bearing total knee arthroplasties without patellar resurfacing were carried out between March 1992 and March 22003 by the senior author. Twelve patients underwent secondary patellar resurfacing for patellar related anterior knee pain. There were equal numbers male and female with a mean age of 72.1 years. There was a mean time of 27.9 months to secondary resurfacing procedure. We evaluated both clinical and radiological outcomes of this procedure.
Results: 0.4% patients required a secondary procedure. Only 3 had an unequivocal improvement in their symptoms. No morbidity was noted from the procedure.
Conclusions: The success rate of secondary patellar resurfacing is poor and we feel if this is to be offered to the patient for ongoing patellar related anterior knee pain that they be counseled carefully.
The abstracts were prepared by Raymond Moran. Correspondence should be addressed to him at the Irish Orthopaedic Assocation, c/o Cappagh National Orthopaedic Hospital, Finglas, Dublin 11, Ireland.
