Isolated patellar revisions for failed metal-backed components: 2- to 9-year follow-up

Results of isolated patellar revisions for failed metal-backed patellae remain controversial. Isolated patellar revisions from April 1993 to April 2000 were assessed for complication rates, the Knee Society score (KSS), implant survival, and radiological loosening. Twenty-nine knees were revised in patients aged 71.0 years (range, 61–87; SD, 6.2). At 67.0 months (range, 24–98 months; SD, 22.0), no patient underwent further revision. Knee scores improved by 26.5 (range, 9.0–44.0; SD, 10.9) while function scores improved by 25.0 (range, 0–50.0; SD,14.5) over prerevision values. Early complications included 3 superficial wound infections, 1 hematoma, and a urinary tract infection in 1 patient. One patient had a subluxed patella. One patient had asymptomatic femoral osteolysis on radiological evaluation. Isolated patellar revisions can be performed in low-demand, elderly patients with minimal patellar maltracking.