ABSTRACT
PURPOSE: We evaluated the functional outcome as degeneration of articular surface of the patella after total knee arthroplasty without resurfacing the patella. MATERIALS AND METHODS: From 2002 to 2003, 63 cases of 52 osteoarthritis patients who underwent total knee arthroplasty without resurfacing the patella as randomized selection were evaluated. Average age was 67.2 years old. Female were 49 patients, and male 3 patients Average follow-up periods were 32 months. Used implant were all PFC-sigma. Clinical outcomes was analyzed as Feller's patella score (perfect score; 30 points), anterior knee pain, crepitation according to the extent of involvement of articular surface of the patella and patello-femoral tracking. RESULTS: The Feller's patella score increased from mean 20.1 to 26.9 (p0.05). The patella score was low with patellar malalignment. Anterior knee pain after operation increased during postoperative 6 months according to the extent of degeneration of patellofemoral joint, but after 6 months there is no statistically significant differences except group 4 and all groups gradually decreased. Crepitation was increased during postoperative 1 year according to the extent of cartilage degeneration and after that its incidence decreased with time. CONCLUSION: The clinical results of total knee arthroplasty without resurfacing the patella was not influenced by the extent of degeneration of patello-femoral joint, but by alignment of patellofemoral joint. Anterior knee pain and crepitation increased in proportion to the extent of degeneration of patello-femoral joint in early period, but it fade out with time.