Secondary patellar resurfacing in total knee arthroplasty: results of multivariate analysis in two case-matched groups.

Although patellofemoral symptoms after patellar-retaining knee arthroplasty are common, no evidence has been published in the literature on the potential benefit from patellar resurfacing at a later stage. This study evaluates the effect of secondary (delayed) patellar resurfacing using comparisons between 2 case-matched groups of patients with primary and secondary patellar resurfacing. Furthermore, multivariate statistical methods were applied to study factors that may influence the final outcome. Our results suggest that although significant clinical improvement was seen after delayed patella resurfacing, the outcome of secondary patellar resurfacing is inferior to that expected for a similar group of patients with primary resurfacing. Furthermore, the timing (delay period) of the secondary resurfacing procedure appears to negatively affect the final outcome. This suggests that secondary patellar resurfacing, when indicated, should be considered at an early stage.