Patellar resurfacing versus no resurfacing in Scorpio total knee arthroplasty

This retrospective study compared the results of patellar resurfacing versus no resurfacing in 121 patients (142 knees) who underwent Scorpio total knee arthroplasty (TKA) between January 2002 and September 2004. Mean follow-up was 33 months in the nonresurfaced group and 18 months in the resurfaced group. The 2 groups were similar in age and gender. The incidence of anterior knee pain was 25% in the nonresurfaced group compared to 7% in the resurfaced group (P = 0.05), and the rate of revision was 10% in the nonresurfaced group compared to zero in the resurfaced group (P = 0.013). Mean Euroquol score was 91 in the nonresurfaced group compared to 95 in the resurfaced group (P = 0.26). Euroquol score, Knee Society score, knee instability, return to preoperative functional level, ability to kneel, use of a walking aid, and presence of limp were not significantly different between the 2 groups. The results of this study suggest a more consistent outcome can be achieved with patellar resurfacing in TKA with the Scorpio prosthesis.