To retrospectively compare the functional performances of rotating platform and fixed-bearing total knee arthroplasties with or without patellar resurfacing.
One hundred and ninety-seven patients (205 knees) of mean age 66.4 years were randomly assigned to receive different prostheses. One hundred ninety-five patients, including 97 fixed-bearing prostheses with 37 patellae resurfaced and 106 rotating platform prostheses with 76 patellae resurfaced, were followed up for a mean duration of 32 months.
Outcomes in the rotating platform with patellar resurfacing and fixed-bearing with patellar resurfacing groups did not differ significantly according to Hospital for Special Surgery (HSS) scores and flexion and extension angles. For total knee arthroplasties without patellar resurfacing, there were no significant differences in HSS score and flexion angle between the rotating platform and fixed-bearing subgroups. Although the extension angle of rotating platform prostheses was slightly better than that of the fixed-bearing in the patellar non-resurfacing group, this difference was not clinically significant.
Rotating platform and fixed-bearing prostheses have similar overall postoperative outcomes with regard to postoperative HSS scores and extension and flexion angles. Rotating platform prostheses are not superior to fixed bearing prostheses.