Total Knee Arthroplasty without Patellar Resurfacing in Moderate to Severe Patellofemoral Arthritis

ABSTRACT

PURPOSE: To analyse clinical result of total knee arthroplasty without patellar resurfacing who had moderate to severe patellofemoral arthritis. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Unilateral knee joints of 54 cases, diagnosed to be moderate to severe patellofemoral arthritis on the basis of Ahlback's radiographic evaluation score of patella on preoperative plain radiography among the patients undergone the total knee arthroplasty due to primary degenerative osteoarthritis at this hospital between January 2000 and March 2004, were subject to this study. Patellar resurfacing was not performed in any cases. Likewise, the knee score of Hospital for Special Surgery and Feller's patellar score were used in clinical assessment preoperatively, and was used two years after the operation. RESULTS: The knee score of Hospital for Special Surgery was increased from 55.1 (35~78) to 82.8 (67~95), and also Feller's patellar score was increased from 19.1 (11~24) to 28.3 (18~30) after operation. Mild anterior knee pain was observed in 5 cases (9.3%) after the operation, but medication was needed in just 2 cases. The 42 cases (77.8%) could normally go up and down stairs without holding the rail. CONCLUSION: The total knee arthroplasty without patellar resurfacing, performed for the patients diagnosed with moderate to severe patellofemoral arthritis related with the indication for patellar resurfacing, derived satisfactory outcomes.