We have been re-evaluating patellofemoral alignment after total knee arthroplasty (TKA) by using a weight- bearing axial radiographic view after detecting patellar maltracking (lateral tilt > 5° or lateral subluxation > 5 mm) on standard non-weight-bearing axial radiographs. However, it is unclear whether the patellar component shape affects this evaluation method. Therefore, we compared 2 differently shaped components on weight-bearing axial radiographs. From 2004 to 2013, 408 TKAs were performed with the same type of posterior-stabilized total knee implant at our hospital. All patellae were resurfaced with an all-polyethylene, three-pegged component to restore original thickness. Regarding patellar component type, an 8-mm domed component was used when the patella was so thin that a 10-mm bone cut could not be performed. Otherwise, a 10-mm medialized patellar component was selected. Twenty-five knees of 25 patients, in whom patellar maltracking was noted on standard axial radiographs at the latest follow-up, were included in this study. Knees were divided into 2 groups: 15 knees received a medialized patella (group M) while 10 received a domed patella (group D). Weight-bearing axial radiographs with patients in the semi-squatting position were recorded with the method of Baldini et al. Patellar alignment (tilt and subluxation) was measured according to the method described by Gomes et al. using both standard and weight-bearing axial views.Introduction
Methods
