Resurfacing versus not resurfacing the patella during total knee replacement.

One hundred patients with osteoarthritic knees were randomized either to have their patella resurfaced or not resurfaced using the same total knee replacement. These patients were assessed preoperatively and a minimum 2 years postoperatively using disease-specific (Knee Society Clinical Rating System) and functional capacity (30 second stair climbing and knee flexor and extensor torques) outcome measures. Two patients in the not resurfaced group required reoperation because of anterior knee pain. At 2 years' followup, the not resurfaced group had significantly less pain and better knee flexor torques than did the resurfaced group, whereas the results of the Knee Society Function Scores, 30 second stair climbing, and knee extensor torques were similar. These results suggest that longer-term followup is required, but that one should keep an open mind regarding patellar resurfacing during total knee replacement.