Abstract
Revision TKA patients who have severe patellar bone loss or undergo patellectomy often have inferior clinical results. Current treatments are limited and often unsatisfactory. This study reports the surgical technique and clinical follow-up (4-year minimum) for 10 patients who underwent revision or salvage TKA and received a porous tantalum implant for replacement of their patella.
The prosthesis is comprised of two parts, a poroustantalum base and titanium suture ring for initial fixation, and a polyethylene surface that is cemented to the base. The surgical technique evolved over the course of the first three cases, during which the suture technique and size (non-absorbable number 2) and bone preparation were defined.
The results of this study indicate that this porous tantalum patella is an effective prosthetic option that is capable of improving function and reducing pain for patients with severe patellar boneloss and complicating factors.
Correspondence should be addressed to Richard Komistek, PhD, International Society for Technology in Arthroplasty, PO Box 6564, Auburn, CA 95604, USA. E-mail: ista@pacbell.net
