Mid-term results of the FPV patellofemoral joint replacement

Isolated patellofemoral joint osteoarthritis affects approximately 10% of patients aged over 40 years and treatment remains controversial. The Femoro Patella Vialli (FPV) patellofemoral joint replacement (Wright Medical Technology, UK) has been shown to restore functional kinematics of the knee close to normal. Despite its increasing popularity in recent years, there are no studies evaluating the mid-term results with an objective scoring assessment.

Therefore, the aim of this study was to report the clinical and radiological outcomes of FPV patellofemoral joint replacement in patients with isolated patellofemoral arthritis.

Between 2006 and 2012,we performed 53 consecutive FPV patellofemoral arthroplasties in 41 patients with isolated patellofemoral joint osteoarthritis. The mean follow-up was 3 years.

Mean Oxford Knee Scores improved from 19.7 to 37.7 at latest follow-up. The progression of tibiofemoral osteoarthritis was seen 12% of knees. Two knees required revision to TKR at 7 months post-operatively, which we attribute to poor patient selection. We had no cases of maltracking patellae, and no lateral releases were performed.

Our findings suggest the FPV patellofemoral prosthesis provides good pain relief and survivorship with no significant maltracking patellae.