Osteoarthritis of the knee joints is rarely seen only in the femoropatellar joint. In isolated severe osteoarthritis of the femoropatellar joint an isolated prosthetic joint replacement of this joint is indicated. To achieve good results, correct patient selection with no arthritis in the femorotibial joint and absence of maltracking and instability of the patella are crucial. Modern prostheses with a femoral onlay component and a proper surgical technique with correct alignment of the prosthetic component and prevention of an overstuffing of the patella are essential.
Fifty-three Vanguard Prostheses (Biomet GmbH, Warsaw, IL) were examined after a follow-up of 3.7 ± 2.8 (1-8) years.
The Knee Society score increased from 117.3 points preoperative to 181.2 points at the follow-up. One knee was revised because of neuropathic pain. Two patients suffered from periprosthetic patellar fractures after falling.
In well indicated cases with isolated osteoarthritis of the femoropatellar joint, good clinical results with a femoropatellar prosthesis can be expected.