title: The Richards type II patellofemoral arthroplasty: 26 cases followed for 1-20 years.
abstract: We followed 26 Richards type II patellofemoral arthroplasties in 24 patients (19 women) for a mean of 11 (1-20) years. Their mean age was 59 (22-90) years. The preoperative diagnoses were primary patellofemoral arthrosis in 17 cases and secondary arthrosis in 9 (8 malalignment, 1 patellar fracture). Patellectomy was later performed for persistent pain or patellar malalignment in 3 cases and a conversion to a total knee arthroplasty for progressive tibio-femoral degeneration or patella malalignment in 2. The mean Knee Society knee score for 21 knees at follow-up was 90 (65-100) points. The patients rated the results of surgery in 9 knees as excellent, 7 good, 4 improved, and 1 unimproved at follow-up. None of the implants showed signs of loosening or infection. The Richards type II patellofemoral arthroplasty yields acceptable long-term results in patients with isolated end-stage patellofemoral osteoarthrosis. Patient selection and patella alignment are important.
authors.affiliation: Department of Orthopedics, Ziekenhuis Rijnstate Arnhem, The Netherlands.
authors.forename: W E
authors.initials: WE
authors.lastname: de Winter
authors.forename: R
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Feith
authors.forename: C J
authors.initials: CJ
authors.lastname: van Loon
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D019645:Arthroplasty, Replacement, Knee; D005260:Female; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged