The purpose of this prospective study was to compare radiological outcomes after total knee artliroplasty (TKA) with or without patellar resurfacing in patients with grade IV osteoarthritis on patellofemoral joint.
123 cases with Kellgren-Lawrence grade IV osteoarthritis on patellofemoral joint were enrolled for this study. At the operating room, they were randomly assigned to undergo patella resurfacing (62 cases) or patella retention (61 cases). Among them, 114 cases that could be followed for more than 2 years were included in this study (resurfacing group; 59 cases, retention group; 55 cases). Preoperative and postoperative radiological outcomes (mechanical femorotibial angle, patellar tilt and congruence angles) were evaluated and compared between two groups.
Preoperative radiological measures shows not significant difference between patellar tilt (P = 0.13), mechanical femorotibial angles (P = 0.62) and congruence angle (P = 0.37). Despite the difference performed methods of surgery, postoperative radiological assessment outcomes between two groups were almost identical Patellar tilt (P = 0.47), mechanical femorotibial angles (P = 0.34) and congruence angle (P > 0.05).
Obtained ahnost the same satisfactory radiological outcomes after patella resurfacing and retention groups after total knee replacement allows us to conclude that, primary TKA without patella resurfacing is a good treatment option in patients with high grade osteoarthritis of the patellofemoral joint.