The patella in total knee arthroplasty.

Controversy persists as to whether the patella should be resurfaced in total knee arthroplasty. Can the good results of patellar cartilage against the metal femoral component be expected to endure? Attention to technique can be expected to reduce some of the complications of resurfacing, notably fracture, rupture, and instability. Component breakage results from metal-backed designs, and the causes of patellar clunks have not been fully understood.