Enlargement of remaining patella after partial patellectomy in rabbits

Purpose: The purpose was to study the radiographic patellar tendon calcific ation and evaluate the histology of the healing interface between the patel lar tendon and the remaining patella after partial patellectomy. Methods: W e removed the distal one-third of the patella in 24 rabbits. Specimens were harvested at 8, 12, and 24 wk postoperatively (N = 8 each). Results: Histo logical observation demonstrated that healing interfaces between the patell ar tendon and patella were structurally connected by scar tissue. The radio graphic patellar tendon calcification next to the healing interface was in fact trabecular bone outgrowth histologically, resulting in an enlargement of the remaining patellar in length from 0.93 +/- 0.28 mm at week 8, 1.26 /- 0.33 mm at week 12, to 2.5 +/- 1.12 mm at week 24. Metaplasia of the sca r tissue observed next to the healing interface of the remaining patellar a rticular cartilage and the outgrowth of trabecular bone from the remaining patella with healing over time may increase the articular surface of the re maining patella after partial patellectomy. Conclusions: The remaining pate lla might be enlarged in length after partial patellectomy because of trabe cular bone outgrowth and metaplasia with healing over time. Its theoretical advantages are an increased patellofemoral contact area and a diminished p atellofemoral contact pressure following surgery.