Evaluating the “Patella-Friendly” Concept in Total Knee Arthroplasty: A Minimum 15-Year Follow-Up Outcome Study Comparing Constant Radius, Multiradius Cruciate-Retaining, and Nonanatomical Cruciate-Retaining Implants

Patella-friendly femoral components were developed in order to reduce anterior knee pain and patellofemoral complications in total knee arthroplasty (TKA), but their effect on long-term outcome is still unclear.

We retrospectively evaluated prospectively collected data from 3 groups consisting of 100 patients (100 knees in each). In group A, the constant radius a-MP, in group B the multiradius cruciate-retaining Genesis II, and in group C the nonanatomic, multiradius, cruciate-retaining AGC TKA was implanted. Patients of all groups were matched for age, gender, side, body mass index, and length of follow-up. Preoperative and postoperative clinical outcome data in the form of Knee Society System (KSS), Short Form-12, Western Ontario and McMaster University Osteoarthritis Index, and Oxford Knee Score were available at regular intervals for groups A and B. For patients of group C, KSS score data were available at the same time intervals. In all groups, the patellofemoral compartment was assessed using the Clinical Patella Score scale. Anterior knee pain, secondary patella resurfacing, implant failure, and radiological outcome were assessed in patients of all groups.

At 10-year and 15-year follow-up, patients of group A showed statistically significant (s.s.) higher (all P = .000) KSS values as compared to those of groups B and C. At 15-year follow-up, patients of group B showed s.s. higher (P = .001) KSS values as compared to those of group C. At 10-year and 15-year follow up, patients of group A showed s.s. higher (all P = .00) Western Ontario and McMaster University Osteoarthritis Index and Oxford Knee Score values as compared to those of group B. At 15-year follow-up only, patients of group A showed s.s. higher (P = .00) Short Form-12 (physical) values as compared to those of group B. In terms of Clinical Patella Score, patients in group A had s.s. higher values (P = .05) when compared to those of groups B and C. Anterior knee pain was recorded in 4.4% of TKAs in group A, 7.5% in group B, and 17.2% in group C. One (1.1%) patient in group A, 3 (3.25%) in group B, and 7 (8%) in group C underwent secondary resurfacing.

Anatomical, patella-friendly, constant radius femoral components outperform others in reducing anterior knee pain and patella complications in TKA in which the patellae are left nonresurfaced.