[Patellar complications of ICLH knee prosthesis]

Three types of patellar complication following total knee replacement with a Freeman-I.C.L.H. prosthesis have been studied. They are: 1) Pain despite a satisfactory position of the patella. 2) Patella fractures and 3) Lateral displacement. Pain in spite of a satisfactory position of the patella occurred in 15 p. 100 of cases. The incidence of this complication was considerably diminished by the use of a patellar implant. The use of a patellar implant did not result in any specific morbidity. Five fractures of the patella were seen, three of them without displacement. Lateral displacement of the patella were seen in 5 p. 100 of cases resulting in instability of the knee and a higher risk of loosening of the tibial component. The authors propose a new type of patellar implant stabilized by a rail.