Abstract
Background
The decision to resurface the patella during total knee arthroplasty remains controversial. Aim of our study was to evaluate the functional difference between patients undergoing medial rotation knee (MRK) replacement with and without patellar resurfacing at our hospital.
Methods
We did a retrospective analysis of patients undergoing MRK total knee replacement (Matortho) at our hospital between 2008 and 2017 performed by 2 surgeons. Patients were recalled for a clinical review from Oct 2017 for recording of Oxford knee, Baldini and Ferrel scores. Mann-Whitney U test was used for non-parametric data (SPSS v24).
Results
Of the 104(49 males) patients, 62 had patellar resurfacing. Age and sex distribution was similar in both groups. The mean follow up period was 74.45 months in non- resurfaced group and 54.93 months in resurfaced group. The Median (Range) pre-operative Oxford knee scores were similar in both groups − 15(4–42) in non-resurfaced group and 14(1–44) in resurfaced group. The median OKS at follow-up were 36(12–47) in non-resurfaced group and 37(9–48) in resurfaced group. The Patellar scores were slightly better in the resurfaced group – Baldini score median (range) (90 (25–100) in non resurfaced v/s 100(30–100) in resurfaced), Ferrel score (median (range) 25(12–30) in non-resurfaced v/s 28(10–30) in resurfaced, p 0.042). The patellofemoral component of the OKS (Q5 + Q7 + Q12) median (range) showed an improvement from 3(1–11) to 6.5 (3–11) in non-resurfaced group and from 3(0–12) to 8 (2–12) (p 0.039) in resurfaced group.
Conclusion
Although the overall functional knee scores in non-resurfaced and resurfaced groups were same, we found a statistically significant difference in Ferrel score and in the patellofemoral component of OKS between the 2 groups of MRK knee replacement suggesting specific benefits of patellar resurfacing.
