A comparison of patellectomy with prosthetic replacement of the patella.

Eight adult mongrel dogs were used to compare patellectomy with prosthetic replacement of the patella. All of the dogs who underwent patellectomies displayed functional disturbances when examined four weeks postoperatively. None of the dogs with patellar prostheses displayed discernible functional disturbances. All but one of the dogs with patellectomies developed pathological alterations in the patellar bed of the femur. None of the dogs with patellar prostheses had pathological alterations in the patellar bed of the femur.