A Single Surgeon Experience of Selective Patellar Resurfacing During Primary Total Knee Arthroplasty

Background

Routine patellar resurfacing remains controversial in primary total knee arthroplasty (TKA). This study reports the experience of a high-volume arthroplasty surgeon who stopped routinely resurfacing patellae for a 3-year period.

Methods

All primary TKAs performed by a single surgeon between January 2018 and September 2022 with minimum 1-year follow-up were retrospectively reviewed. Data were analyzed between cohorts—nonresurfaced and resurfaced patellae—and between phases—universal and selective resurfacing. Outcomes included reoperation, patellar complications, and patient-related outcome measure scores.

Results

Five hundred four primary TKAs, with mean 24-month follow-up, were included. Patellar resurfacing was performed in 77% of the overall cohort, including 58% in the selective and 100% in the universal phases. Reoperation (7.6% vs 0.3%; P < .001) and patellar complications (8.4% vs 1.3%; P < .001) were higher in the nonresurfaced vs resurfaced cohort. Eight of the 9 reoperations in the nonresurfaced group were for secondary resurfacing, and all were female (P = .017). Mean 12-Item Short Form Health Survey Physical Health (P = .037) and Western Ontario and McMaster Universities Arthritis Index Pain scores (P = .002) were better in the resurfaced cohort. Selective resurfacing demonstrated a higher reoperation rate (3.3% vs 0.4%; P = .022) and worse Western Ontario and McMaster Universities Arthritis Index Pain (P = .026) and Knee Society Knee Functional scores (P = .042).

Conclusions

Cessation of routine patellar resurfacing led to inferior clinical results and an unacceptably high early reoperation rate, specifically among women. The generalizability of these findings may be limited due to surgeon-specific factors; however, we urge caution in surgeons who consider similar changes in practice.

Level of Evidence

Level III.