Secondary resurfacing of the patella in mobile-bearing total knee arthroplasty.
OBJECTIVE
We aim to evaluate the impact of secondary patellar resurfacing in patients with patellar-related anterior knee pain who have undergone a mobile-bearing primary knee arthroplasty without resurfacing.


METHODS
A total of 2950 primary Low Contact Stress (DePuy, Warsaw, Ind) mobile-bearing knee arthroplasties without patellar resurfacing were carried out between March 1992 and March 2003. Thirteen patients (0.4%) underwent secondary patellar resurfacing for patellar-related anterior knee pain. The mean age of the patients was 67.8 years. There was a mean time of 28 months to the secondary resurfacing procedure.


RESULTS
Only 4 patients had an unequivocal improvement in their symptoms at a mean follow-up of 45 months (range, 3-92 months). No morbidity was noted from the procedure.


CONCLUSIONS
The success rate of secondary patellar resurfacing is poor and patients should be counseled carefully.
Mockford
Brian J
BJ
Orthopedic Outcomes Unit, Musgrave Park Hospital, Belfast, Northern Ireland.
Beverland
David E
DE
D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D019645:Arthroplasty, Replacement, Knee / Q000009:adverse effects* / Q000379:methods*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007720:Knee Prosthesis / Q000009:adverse effects*; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D010329:Patella; D011183:Postoperative Complications / Q000601:surgery; D011474:Prosthesis Design; D012189:Retrospective Studies