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 postoperative 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 degrees and 15.45 degrees) and post-operative (18.48 degrees 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.