Sm. Theiss et al., COMPONENT DESIGN AFFECTING PATELLOFEMORAL COMPLICATIONS AFTER TOTAL KNEE ARTHROPLASTY, Clinical orthopaedics and related research, (326), 1996, pp. 183-187
Three hundred one primary cemented total knee arthroplasties were perf
ormed in 289 patients, Two different prostheses were used; 148 knees r
eceived the Miller-Galante I prosthesis and 153 knees received the Pre
ss Pit Condylar prosthesis. Minimum followup was 2 years, The groups w
ere similar in all parameters both preoperatively and postoperatively,
with the exception of the patellofemoral complication rate, Knees tha
t were implanted with the Miller-Galante I prosthesis experienced a co
mplication rate of 10.1 %, while those with the Press Fit Condylar pro
sthesis experienced a complication rate of 0.7 %, The distinct differe
nce in the patellofemoral complication rate may be due to differences
in design of the femoral component, Features that may have contributed
to increased patellofemoral morbidity included a short, narrow anteri
or flange; a shallow patellar groove; and an abrupt anterior to distal
transition with a smaller radius of curvature, Because subtle design
differences can have a profound effect on clinical outcome, long term
evaluation of new designs should be completed before widespread use, T
he clinician also should be aware of the desirable design features whe
n choosing a component.