JBJS, November 1, 2003, Volume 85, Issue suppl_4

The Patella in Revision Total Knee Arthroplasty

Aaron G. Rosenberg, MD Joshua J. Jacobs, MD Khaled J. Saleh, MD, MSc, FRCSC Rida A. Kassim, MD Michael J. Christie, MD David G. Lewallen, MD James A. Rand, MD Harry E. Rubash, MD

Knee

The prevalence of patellofemoral complications following resurfacing in total knee arthroplasty has been reported to range from 4% to 41%1,2. Complications related to the patellofemoral articulation are the cause of up to 45% of all total knee arthroplasty revisions3 and 41% of re-revisions. Boyd et al.1 showed an increased reoperation rate in patients in whom the patella was not resurfaced. This article will discuss the diagnosis and treatment of problems that occur at the patellofemoral articulation as well as issues related to the management of the patellofemoral joint and extensor mechanism during revision total knee arthroplasty, including evaluation of component fixation, assessment of compatibility of preexisting well-fixed components with revision implants, and management of patellar bone loss.

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