PATELLAR COMPONENT MEDIALIZATION IN TOTAL KNEE ARTHROPLASTY

Intraoperative correction of patellar maltracking has traditionally in volved the use of a lateral retinacular release. Problems, however, re lated to lateral retinacular release include increased postoperative p ain and wound healing complications, compromised patellar blood flow, and longer rehabilitation. The purpose of this study was to assess the effect of patellar medialization in total knee arthroplasty. One hund red forty patients underwent total knee arthroplasty using the same co mponents. Two groups of 70 patients each made up the study. Group 1 in cluded patients whose patellar components were centralized on the pate lla, and group 2 consisted of patients in whom the patellar component was medialized to reproduce the patient's anatomic high point (ie, sag ittal ridge). Lateral retinacular release was required in 45.5% of the patients in group 1 compared with 17% in group 2. The technique of pa tellar medialization is described.