Our study aims were to establish correlations between the incidence of patellofemoral pain and clinical, functional and radiographic outcomes in Total Knee Arthroplasty (TKR), using the Duracon prosthesis without patella resurfacing.

A consecutive cohort of 52 patients (71 knees) were reviewed at a special follow up clinic at a mean of 29 months. All operations were carried out by a single surgeon or under his direct supervision using a standard procedure. Patients were evaluated clinically and asked directly if they had anterior knee pain. American Knee Society Scores (AKSS) and knee alignment were assessed and patients completed SF-12 and WOMAC questionnaires. Standardised 45 degree skyline and standing lateral radiographs were taken and assessed by a single blinded observer, and patella tilt and displacement measured using Gomes’ method, and patella height measured using the Insall-Salvati ratio. Knees with patellofemoral pain underwent triple phase bone scintigraphy using Technetium 99m-MDP with vascular, blood pool and static (3 hour) imaging.

Significant patellofemoral pain was identified in 8 knees (11%), in 6 patients. This group had a reduced mean AKSS compared to knees without patellofemoral pain, although 50% still had a good to excellent outcome as judged by the AKSS. Only 2 knees with patellofemoral pain had abnormal alignment (2 and 12 degrees valgus). The mean SF-12 and WOMAC scores did not differ significantly between knees with patellofemoral pain and those without. Patella tilt and displacement were a common finding in this cohort, and could be as great as 17 degrees and 30% respectively without patellofemoral dysfunction. Paradoxically the mean values for these parameters were found to be reduced in knees with patellofemoral pain. Patella height did not substantially vary between knees with patellofemoral pain and those without. Bone scintigraphy of 7 of the knees with patellofemoral pain revealed a spectrum of activity from complete normality (3 knees) to tricompartmental increase in activity (2 knees). Increased activity localised to the patellofemoral articulation was evident in 2 knees.

We conclude that despite favourable overall results, the Duracon prosthesis fails to eliminate patellofemoral pain without patella resurfacing. This conflicts with excellent reported results using this anatomic prosthesis with patella resurfacing. The presence of patellofemoral pain correlates well with a poor AKKS, but the role of plain radiography and bone scintigraphy as investigative tools remains unclear.