Introduction: Anterior knee pain (AKP) is a frequent complication after total knee arthroplasty (TKA). Patelloplasty, defined as reshaping the patella for optimal tracking in the trochlea, has been proposed to reduce the rate of this complication in patellar retaining implants. Aim of this study was to analyze the available literature regarding the outcomes of patelloplasty and to assess its methodological quality.
Materials and methods: A comprehensive review of the English literature was performed using the keywords "total knee arthroplasty", "patelloplasty" and "patellaplasty" with no limit regarding the year of publication. All the selected articles were evaluated with the Coleman score.
Results: Seven full text articles were retrieved. The initial cohort included 461 knees in the study groups and 465 in the control groups. At an average FU of 70.6 months 447 knees were reviewed in the study group and 447 in the control groups. The global rate of AKP after patelloplasty was 11.3 % which compared to 7.9 % in the patella resurfacing control group. No signs of specific patellar complications due to patelloplasty were reported. Average Coleman score was 66.9.
Conclusion: Most of the literature has barely sufficient methodological quality. Patelloplasty aims at reducing patellar thickness and improve its tracking with TKA. This procedure is a safe and easy option with no reported adverse effects. In the included studies, outcome seemed to be superior in comparison with isolated osteophyte removal and denervation with a lower rate of AKP. The included studies, however, report a lower rate of AKP following TKA with patellar resurfacing. Patelloplasty may have the potential to improve the outcome of patellar retaining implants.
Level of evidence: 4, systematic review.
Keywords: Anterior knee pain; Patellaplasty; Patellar retaining; Patelloplasty; Total knee arthroplasty.