Comparison of Clinical Results between Patellar Resurfacing and Non-resurfacing in Total Knee Arthroplasty: A Short Term Evaluation.

Background There is no difference in the functional outcomes 6 months after total knee arthroplasty (TKA) for knee osteoarthritis between patellar resurfacing and non-resurfacing. Thus, we have performed this study to compare the short-term clinical outcomes of TKA performed with and without the patella resurfacing. Methods A total of 50 patients with osteoarthritis of the knee (OAK) were randomized to receive patellar resurfacing (n=24; resurfaced group) or to retain their native patella (n=26; non-resurfaced group) based on envelope selection and provided informed consent. Disease specific outcomes including Knee Society Score (KSS), Knee Society Function Score (KSKS-F), Kujala Anterior Knee Pain Scale (AKPS), Western Ontario and McMaster Universities Arthritis Index (WOMAC), Short Form 36 (SF-36), and functional patella-related activities were measured within six months of follow-up. Results There was no significant difference between the resurfaced and non-resurfaced groups in pre and post-operative improvement of range of motion (ROM) (P=0.421), KSS (P=0.782, P=0.553), KSKS-F (P=0.241, P=0.293), AKPS (P=0.128, P=0.443), WOMAC (P=0.700, P=0.282), and pain scores (P=0.120, P=0.508). There was no difference in ROM between resurfaced and non-resurfaced group pre (15.24° and 15.45°) and post-operative (18.48° and 18.74). No side effects related to patella was observed in any of the groups. Revision was required in none of the participants. Conclusion The results showed no significant difference between patellar resurfacing and non-resurfacing in TKA for all outcome measures in a short term.Level of evidence: I.