Patellar Thickness in Korean Osteoarthritic Women

ABSTRACT

PURPOSE: The patellar thickness is one of the most important factors that affect patellar tracking in patients who undergo total knee arthroplasty (TKA). The purpose of this study is to help the surgeons who perform TKA by presenting basic data on the patellar thickness of the osteoarthritic Korean women. MATERIALS AND METHODS: From January 2006 to May 2007, we measured the patellar thickness of 330 patients (538 cases) who were undergoing TKA. The thickest portion of the patella was measured on a scale of 0.01 mm with using an electronic caliper before patellar osteotomy. We analyzed the data to determine the relationships between the patellar thickness and the patients' age, height, weight and BMI, and the osteoarthritic change of the patella. RESULTS: The average thickness was 21.37+/-1.43 mm. There was a statistically significant positive relation of patellar thickness with weight and height and a negative relation with the degree of osteoarthritis. Age and BMI were not related with the patellar thickness. CONCLUSION: The average thickness was 21.37+/-1.43 mm and it was closely related with weight and height and the osteoarthritic change of the patella.