Patellar polyethylene peg fracture: a case report and review of the literature

The patellar component of a total knee replacement (TKR) is the most frequent source of non-septic complications after total knee arthroplasty. Fracture of patellar pegs in all polyethylene patellar components is a very rare occurrence. We report such a case of a patellar polyethylene fracture in a 72-year-old female patient 10 years after TKR. Due to patellar malalignment and high level of activity, the patellar components failed in this patient. This was treated arthroscopically by removing the components that failed and leaving the patella unresurfaced. We followed up the patient postoperatively and her symptoms were substantially resolved.