Patella in total knee arthroplasty: to resurface or not to—a cohort study of staged bilateral total knee arthroplasty

The aim of this study was to assess medium term results of patellar resurfacing in total knee arthroplasty, specifically looking at anterior knee pain, patellofemoral function and need for reoperation. A prospective cohort study was conducted with patients undergoing staged bilateral knee arthroplasty with the patella being resurfaced only on one side. This was due to change in the clinical practice of the senior author. Sixty patients were reviewed clinically and radiologically on a regular basis. The surgery was either performed or supervised by the senior author in all cases. All patients received the cemented press-fit condylar© prosthesis. The Knee Society clinical rating system was used. Scores were recorded pre-operatively and post-operatively at three months, one year, two years and three yearly thereafter. The mean age of patients in the study group was 75 years (range: 62–89 years). There were 42 women and 18 men in the study. The mean duration of follow-up was 4.5 years (range: 2–12 years). There was no significant difference in the pre-operative scores in both groups. There were significantly better scores (p < 0.05) on the resurfaced side as compared to the non-resurfaced side at final follow-up. No revision was carried out for patellofemoral complications on the resurfaced side. Four patients required revision in the form of patellar resurfacing on the non-resurfaced side for persistent anterior knee pain. Patellar resurfacing is recommended in total knee arthroplasty for better functional outcome with regards to anterior knee pain and patellofemoral function.