Summary

Prospective serie of 36 patellofemoral joint replacements with a mean follow up of 8 years shows excellent Oxford score and no revisions.

Abstract

Title:
Functional evaluation of patellofemoral joint replacement with mean follow up of 8 years.

Background

Patellofemoral osteoarthritis can be present without significant compromise of tibiofemoral compartments. Treatment options in these cases include from non-surgical therapies to total knee replacement. Since 2004 we have been used patellofemoral joint replacement for patients with predominant patellofemoral osteoarthritis and failed conservative treatment.

Objective

To evaluate functional results of patellofemoral joint replacement with minimum follow up of 4 years.
Patients and methods:
Prospective case series of 26 patients (22 women, 34 knees), with a mean age of 60 years (range 36-86), who undergo patellofemoral joint replacement with the Avon prosthesis (Stryker®) by single surgical team. Mean follow up was 99 months (range 49-142). The Oxford/Nuffield score was used to assess function.

Results

Mean Oxford/Nuffield (12-60) score was 16.6 (range 12-26). The worst isolated value was facing the question about kneeling and getting up (mean 2.5).
No cases of patellar instability were presented and the survival rate was 100%.
According to Spearman correlation test, there were not correlation between patients age or months of follow up and score values.

Conclusions

Patellofemoral joint replacement showed satisfactory results and were similar to those presented in other series.
This procedure can be considered a useful therapeutic tool for symptomatic patellofemoral osteoarthritis at different ages. Indication criteria are essential.