Patellar resurfacing is a surgical procedure to replace the joint surface of the patella.
Is patellar resurfacing a good procedure?
The procedure is performed when joint cartilage destruction affects the underside of the patella, causing pain. It may be done as part of a patellofemoral resurfacing procedure, where a trochlear implant is also used for the groove of the femur, but the main tibio-femoral joint surfaces of the knee are left intact. The jury seems to be out when it comes to evaluating whether or not patellar resurfacing is always a good procedure.
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Quote:
"The orthopaedic community...remains deeply divided regarding the issue of patellar resurfacing"
Citation: Schindler OS. The controversy of patellar resurfacing in total knee arthroplasty: Ibisne in medio tutissimus? Knee Surg Sports Traumatol Arthrosc. 2012 Jul;20(7):1227-44. doi: 10.1007/s00167-012-1985-7. Epub 2012 Apr 8. PMID: 22484417; PMCID: PMC3378836.