Routine patellar resurfacing: a viable option

The literature on routine patellar resurfacing documents that the rate of anterior knee pain after TKA is the same whether the patella is resurfaced or unresurfaced. The complication rate is different in these groups. In patients in whom the native patella is left, the rate of reoperation is approximately 10%. However, when correct surgical technique is used, the rate of patellar complications after routine resurfacing is negligible. Although design modifications have helped reduce patellar complications, the surgeon is the most important variable. As long as good technique is used, routine patellar resurfacing has been proven to produce the best results in TKA.