title: Patella inversion method for exposure in revision total knee arthroplasty.
abstract: Satisfactory performance of revision total knee arthroplasty (TKA) requires adequate exposure. This article shows the patella inversion method of exposure in a large consecutive series of revision TKAs.Between 1987 and 1999, 420 revision TKAs were performed. Exposure was facilitated by the patella inversion method. No attempt was made to evert the patella. This technique of exposure was used in 95% (397 of 420) of patients. There were no episodes of patellar tendon avulsion in this series. Multiple exposure options are available in revision TKA. Extensile techniques violate the extensor mechanism. For most patients, these methods were unnecessary. The patella inversion method afforded adequate exposure in most patients without violating the extensor mechanism.
authors.affiliation: Charlotte Orthopedic Research Institute and Charlotte Orthopedic Specialists Hip and Knee Center, Charlotte, North Carolina, USA. tfehring@cosortho.com
authors.forename: Thomas K
authors.initials: TK
authors.lastname: Fehring
authors.forename: Susan
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Odum
authors.forename: William L
authors.initials: WL
authors.lastname: Griffin
authors.forename: J Bohannon
authors.initials: JB
authors.lastname: Mason
mesh_terms: D019645:Arthroplasty, Replacement, Knee / Q000379:methods*; D001696:Biomechanical Phenomena; D006801:Humans; D010329:Patella / Q000601:surgery*; D012086:Reoperation / Q000379:methods; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D016896:Treatment Outcome