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The patella in total knee arthroplasty: to resurface or not is the question

  • TKA Symposium (P Sancheti, Section Editor)
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Abstract

The decision to resurface the patella during total knee arthroplasty remains controversial. Even though some surgeons routinely resurface the patella to avoid the increased rates of postoperative anterior knee pain and reoperation for secondary resurfacing, others selectively resurface based on the presence of anterior knee pain, notably damaged articular cartilage, inflammatory arthritis, isolated patellofemoral arthritis, and patellar subluxation and maltracking. The anatomy and biomechanics of the patellofemoral joint, combined with advances in surgical technique and prostheses must be taken into account when making a decision to resurface the patella. Accurate component implantation is imperative for a successful outcome if the patella is resurfaced.

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Acknowledgments

The authors did not receive any outside funding or grants in support of their research for or preparation of this work. No commercial entity paid or directed, or agreed to pay or direct, any benefits to any research fund, foundation, division, center, clinical practice, or other charitable or nonprofit organization with which the authors, or a member of their immediate families, are affiliated or associated.

Investigation performed at the Mayo Clinic, Rochester, MN; St. Marguerite Hospital, Marseille, France; and Nicolaas Institute of Constructive Orthopaedics Research & Education Foundation for Arthroplasty & Sports Medicine, Jakarta, Indonesia.

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Conflict of Interest

Matthew P. Abdel declares that he has no conflict of interest. Sébastien Parratte has received payment for development of educational presentations from Zimmer. Nicolaas C. Budhiparama is a consultant for DePuy J&J Stryker, Sanofi Aventis, Pfizer Asia and Bayer. He has received a research grant from Bayer; education grants from DePuy J&J Stryker, Pfizer, and Zimmer.

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This article does not contain any studies with human or animal subjects performed by any of the authors.

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Correspondence to Nicolaas C. Budhiparama.

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Abdel, M.P., Parratte, S. & Budhiparama, N.C. The patella in total knee arthroplasty: to resurface or not is the question. Curr Rev Musculoskelet Med 7, 117–124 (2014). https://doi.org/10.1007/s12178-014-9212-4

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