Resurfacing in a Posterior-Stabilized Total Knee Arthroplasty Reduces Patellar Crepitus Complication: A Randomized, Controlled Trial

Patellar crepitus (PC) is a common complication after total knee arthroplasty (TKA) using a posterior-stabilized (PS) prosthesis. While numerous factors have been associated with PC development after PS-TKA, patellar resurfacing (PR) which directly impacts the patellofemoral joint kinematics has been underinvestigated. A prospective, randomized, controlled trial was conducted to (1) compare the PC incidence in PR and non-PR PS-TKA, (2) determine the time of PC presentation in PS-TKA, (3) identify radiographic parameters associated with PC, and (4) compare clinical outcomes of patients with and without PR.

A total of 84 patients who underwent unilateral TKA using the Legion PS Total Knee System were randomized into PR group or non-PR group. PC incidence, time of PC presentation, radiographic parameters associated with PC development, and clinical outcomes were evaluated at 3 months, 6 months, 9 months, and 1 year postoperatively.

PC occurred significantly more in the non-PR group (23.1% vs 7.3%, P = .048). Time of PC presentation in both groups was not different. Anterior knee pain was found in 16.7% of crepitus patients, and none required any surgical procedure. The non-PR knees had significant decreases in patellar shift index, patellar displacement, Insall-Salvati ratio, and patellar component height and increase in change in posterior femoral offset. Oxford and patellar scores were significantly better in the PR group at 9 months and 1 year.

Given higher PC incidence and several worse clinical outcomes in the non-PR, we recommend resurfacing during PS-TKA with this knee system to avoid PC development.