Abstract
Purpose A new design of patello-femoral arthroplasty has been used to treat patients under 55 years suffering severe symptoms from chondral and early arthritic disease of the patello-femoral joint.
Materials and Methods and Results Fifty-two patello-femoral arthroplasties were performed in 45 patients under the age of fifty-five years when other treatments had failed. The average age was 48 years (range 36–54 years). Thirty-seven cases had undergone previous surgery for a variety of conditions, and the causes of the disorders were analysed. Results were assessed using pain scores and Bartlett’s and Oxford functional scores. 35 cases were reviewed at 8 months and 22 cases at two years. The median pain score improved from 10/40 points to 35 at two years. The Bartlett score increased from 10/30 points to 27 and the Oxford score from 19/48 points to 35 at two years. The range of movement increased from 114° to 121°. There have been no cases of deep infection, loosening, wear or instability. Disease progression, a potential risk has occurred in one case.
Conclusions This prosthesis offers a solution in younger patients with disabling symptoms of isolated early patello-femoral disease who have not responded to conservative surgical management.
The abstracts were prepared by Mr Roger Smith. Correspondence should be addressed to him at the British Association for Surgery of the Knee, c/o BOA, Royal College of Surgeons of England, 35–43 Lincoln’s Inn Fields, London WC2A 3PN.
