LCS mobile bearing total knee arthroplasty without patellar resurfacing. Does the unresurfaced patella affect outcome? Survivorship at a minimum 10-year follow-up

Patellar resurfacing during total knee arthroplasty (TKA) remains controversial. The aim of this study was to evaluate the long-term outcomes of a mobile-bearing TKA without patellar resurfacing.

We assessed the outcomes in 503 patients (600 knees) who had cemented LCS (low contact stress) mobile bearing TKA without patellar resurfacing at a minimum follow-up of 10 years. Clinical outcome scores and radiological assessment were used.

Four knees were revised, two had bearing dislocation and nine patients (1.5%) had secondary resurfacing for anterior knee pain. There were no radiolucent lines or osteolytic defects on radiographic evaluation.

The overall survivorship was 97.8% with re-operation for any reason as the endpoint.

Non-resurfacing of the patella does not adversely affect the outcome of the LCS mobile bearing TKA at minimum 10 years follow-up.