Abstract
Thirty-one patients (33 knees) with symptomatic patello-femoral osteoarthritis and minimal tibiofemoral changes underwent LCS total knee replacement without patellar resurfacing.
Average age was 73 years (range, 58–89 years) with a female to male ratio of 5:1. Average follow-up was 20 months (range, 12–40 months). All except four patients had grade 3 or 4 patello-femoral osteoarthritis.
Preoperatively all patients had significant knee pain. Sleep disturbance was reported in 21 patients. All but 10 patients required walking aids. Average range of motion was 1080 (80–125).
At latest review, 21 knees are pain-free, the remaining 12 knees describing only occasional knee pain. Two patients continue to have night pain. Average range of motion was 1040 (70–1350). Lateral patellar tilt improved in all but five knees by an average of 70 (1–260). Patellar congruency improved in all but three knees by an average of 18% (3–63%). None of the patients to date have required revision surgery.
We suggest that knee arthroplasty without patellar resurfacing is an effective option in older patients with isolated patello-femoral osteoarthritis.
The abstracts were prepared by Professor Jegan Krishnan. Correspondence should be addressed to him at the Flinders Medical Centre, Bedford Park 5047, Australia.
