Patellofemoral arthroplasty: the impact of design on outcomes

The results of patellofemoral arthroplasty have been improved over the three decades that the procedure has been used for the treatment of patellofemoral arthritis. Specifically, there has been a reduction in the incidence of patellofemoral-related problems, such as patellar maltracking and catching, after patellofemoral arthroplasty. While these problems were often attributed to errors in surgical technique or component malposition, it is likely that many were related to flawed trochlear component designs. Contemporary patellofemoral arthroplasties have a reduced incidence of the problems related to patellar maltracking that typically plagued earlier generation designs. Further study will likely prove contemporary patellofemoral arthroplasty to be an effective treatment for the management of isolated patellofemoral arthritis, with predictable outcomes and a low incidence of complications.