The treatment of patellofemoral osteoarthritis with partial lateral facetectomy.

UNLABELLED: We investigated the impact of the partial lateral facetectomy of the patella on middle-aged to elderly patients with isolated lateral patellofemoral osteoarthritis. Between 1991 and 2000, we performed partial lateral facetectomy on 11 knees in 11 patients with an average age of 62 years (range, 53-72 years). The mean followup was 8 years (range, 3-14). The average Knee Society Score improved from a preoperative score of 150 to a score of 176 at latest followup. Followup radiographs showed slow progression of osteoarthritis in the patellofemoral and tibiofemoral compartments, but radiographic appearance did not always correlate with clinical symptoms. The success of this procedure depends largely on relief of pain. Partial lateral facetectomy is relatively simple and effective surgical treatment for middle-aged to elderly active patients with isolated lateral patellofemoral osteoarthritis who want to maintain activity level. LEVEL OF EVIDENCE: Therapeutic study, Level IV (case series--no, or historical control group). See the Guidelines for Authors for a complete description of levels of evidence.