COMPONENT DESIGN AFFECTING PATELLOFEMORAL COMPLICATIONS AFTER TOTAL KNEE ARTHROPLASTY

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.