Prospective trial of resurfaced patellaversus non-resurfaced patella in simultaneous bilateral total knee replacement

A prospective trial was carried out in simultaneous bilateral total knee replacement to compare the outcome of resurfaced versus non-surfaced patella.

Thirty-five patients between 1997 and 2002 had simultaneous bilateral total knee replacement with resurfaced patella on the left and non-resurfaced patella on the right knee using the same implant in both.

There were 29 females and six males with a mean age of 65.3 years. Mean follow-up was 3.18 years. There was no significant difference between the resurfaced and non-resurfaced knees with respect to the overall Knee Society clinical score (p = 0.093 preoperative, 0.310 postoperative) or the pain (p = 0.715 preoperative, 0.395 postoperative) or function subscores (p = 0.126 preoperative, 0.317 postoperative). The postoperative range of motion was 109 and 110 degrees for the resurfaced patella and non-resurfaced patella respectively (p = 0.894). The post-operative knee scores between patients with or without pre-operative anterior knee pain (p = 0.238) and between those who were obese and non-obese (p = 0.387) were not significantly different. 82.9% of patients felt that the resurfaced knee and 80% felt that the non-resurfaced knee were much better than before. There was no major preference for either knee for climbing stairs and getting out of chair.

The functional and symptomatic outcome of total knee replacement with or without patella resurfacing is the same in the local population. Also, the present study demonstrated no evidence that the weight of the patient or the presence of preoperative anterior knee pain should be considered as factors in the decision to resurface the patella.