The patellar syndrome-a complication secondary to endoprosthetic replacement of the knee joint: a retrospective study of 102 knee joints over a period of seven years.
Until recently, loosening, infection and fractures of the prosthesis have been considered the only major complications of otherwise good initial results with total endoprosthetic replacement of the knee joint; however, another serious long term complication has become apparent. Severe degenerative changes of the retropatellar cartilage are being observed, which seem to be caused by a possible axial malalignment of the knee, progression of a preexisting retropatellar arthrosis, and additional metallosis induced by the prosthesis. The resulting symptoms and complaints, in accordance with Debeyre, are summarized by the term Patellar Syndrome. Our studies indicate that these symptoms develop in 50% of all patients with a total knee endoprosthesis within three years after surgery. In 10% of the cases these symptoms are severe enough to require additional surgical intervention.
G
G
Kohler
R
R
Richter
J F
JF
Coldewey