Failure of metal-backed patellar arthroplasty. 47 AGC total knees followed for at least 1 year.

A prospective series of 47 total knee arthroplasties in 44 patients with gonarthrosis were followed for at least 1 year to detect patellar complications. In five knees the metal-backed patellar component failed, in one knee the cement fractured, and in one knee there was a spontaneous fracture of the patella. We regard this failure rate as unacceptable.