Secondary resurfacing of the patella in total knee arthroplasty

Anterior knee pain following primary total knee arthroplasty is common and can be difficult to treat satisfactorily. We reviewed 28 consecutive patients (29 knees) who underwent secondary resurfacing of the patella for persistent anterior knee pain and report on the results. Mean follow-up was 28 months (range 12–61) with no cases lost to follow-up. Oxford knee scores, range of motion, the patient’s assessment of outcome and overall satisfaction were recorded.

Seventeen out of 19 (59%) felt their knee was better following patellar resurfacing, 10 out of 29 (34%) felt it was the same and two out of 29 (7%) felt it was worse. There was a significant improvement in Oxford knee scores ( p < 0.001) and significant increase in patient satisfaction ( p < 0.001) following secondary resurfacing.

While secondary resurfacing of the patella does not provide the solution for every case of anterior knee pain following total knee joint replacement, in greater than 50% of cases it can be effective at relieving symptoms and in this series carries a low risk of worsening symptoms or complications.