Blood loss and transfusion rates following patellofemoral arthroplasty

Patellofemoral arthroplasty (PFA) is a viable treatment option of the patient with isolated patellofemoral arthritis. Some of the purported advantages of PFA compared with total knee arthroplasty (TKA) include less invasive approach, less bone resection and tissue destruction, decreased operative time, shorter rehabilitation, better knee kinematics, and decreased blood loss. This study compared the blood loss associated with PFA with that of a cohort of patients with TKA. A proposed benefit of partial knee arthroplasty is less blood loss. Patellofemoral replacement seems not to have this benefit and blood loss prevention initiatives similar to those of TKA should be maintained.