Surgical technique for symmetric patellar resurfacing during total knee arthroplasty

Patellar resurfacing is a commonly performed procedure during total knee arthroplasty (TKA). Common goals of patellar resurfacing are to obtain a stable, functional, patellofemoral joint with minimal pain. This is typically accomplished by resecting the patella in a symmetric fashion while attempting to restore native patellar thickness. Several cutting guides have been developed to assist with patellar resurfacing during TKA; however, we feel that the patella can be resected in a predictably symmetric fashion without the use of cutting guides or other specialized equipment. The following is a description of a novel patellar resurfacing technique that reproducibly results in a smoothly resected patella that is free of asymmetry and obliquity without the use of cutting guides. It can reliably be performed in an efficient manner that reduces equipment needs without prolonging operative time.