Comparison of Results Following Patellar Resurfacing and Non-Resurfacing in Total Knee Arthroplasty

ABSTRACT

PURPOSE: To evaluate the changes of clinical findings depending on the duration after total knee arthroplasty with or without patellar resurfacing. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Retrospective study of 145 total knee arthroplasties with (70 cases) or without (75 cases) patellar resurfacing was carried out clinically and radioilogically. Patients were evaluated using the knee society score, and the patellar score. RESULTS: No significant difference was found between patellar resurfacing and non-resurfacing knees regarding the knee society score, and the patellar score. The postoperative clinical scores, the postoperative development of anterior knee pain were not influenced by the presence of preoperative anterior knee pain, obesity, the grade of chondromalacia observed intraoperatively, preoperative anteroposterior alignment, or preoperative Insall-Salvati ratio. CONCLUSION: There was no specific difference between the two groups regarding clinical findings, so patellar non-resurfacing should be considered in patients who have relatively normal articular cartilage and patellofemoral joint space width.