UNICOMPARTMENTAL KNEE ARTHROPLASTY WITH PATELLOPLASTY

Patellofemoral arthritis is generally regarded as a contraindication t o unicompartmental knee arthroplasty. A retrospective review of 52 pat ients (60 knees) who underwent this operation together with nonresurfa cing excisional patelloplasty was carried out. The patellar facets wer e resected through subchondral bone retaining the triangular shape of the bone. There were 90% goon and excellent results at an average foll ow-up of 6 years with no patellofemoral pain, despite marked to modera te patellofemoral crepitus in 98%. Patellofemoral arthroplasty can ext end the indications for unicompartmental knee arthroplasty, providing an alternative to total knee replacement.