title: [Arthroplasty of the Femoropatellar Joint - What Data are Available?].
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Osteoarthritis of the knee joints is rarely seen only in the femoropatellar joint. In isolated severe osteoarthritis of the femoropatellar joint an isolated prosthetic joint replacement of this joint is indicated. To achieve good results, correct patient selection with no arthritis in the femorotibial joint and absence of maltracking and instability of the patella are crucial. Modern prostheses with a femoral onlay component and a proper surgical technique with correct alignment of the prosthetic component and prevention of an overstuffing of the patella are essential.
  
  
  METHODS
  Fifty-three Vanguard Prostheses (Biomet GmbH, Warsaw, IL) were examined after a follow-up of 3.7 ± 2.8 (1-8) years.
  
  
  RESULTS
  The Knee Society score increased from 117.3 points preoperative to 181.2 points at the follow-up. One knee was revised because of neuropathic pain. Two patients suffered from periprosthetic patellar fractures after falling.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  In well indicated cases with isolated osteoarthritis of the femoropatellar joint, good clinical results with a femoropatellar prosthesis can be expected.
authors.affiliation: Klinik für Endoprothetik, Allgemeine und Rheumaorthopädie, Orthopädische Klinik Markgröningen.
authors.forename: B
authors.initials: B
authors.lastname: Fink
authors.affiliation: Klinik für Endoprothetik, Allgemeine und Rheumaorthopädie, Orthopädische Klinik Markgröningen.
authors.forename: C
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Schwenninger
mesh_terms: D000368:Aged; D019645:Arthroplasty, Replacement, Knee / Q000379:methods*; D019317:Evidence-Based Medicine; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D020370:Osteoarthritis, Knee / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging* / Q000601:surgery*; D057071:Patellofemoral Joint / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging* / Q000601:surgery*; D011859:Radiography; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D016896:Treatment Outcome