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.