Resurfacing of the patella in young patients.

The results of prosthetic resurfacing of the patella in 15 knees of 14 patients who ranged in age from 18 to 38 years at the time of surgery have been presented. The results were excellent in two knees, good in one knee, fair in eight knees, and poor in four knees. No mechanical failures occurred. The follow-up period ranged from 6 weeks to 8 years. I believe that the use of prosthetic resurfacing of the patella should be limited to patients, regardless of age, who have grade 3 or 4 chondromalacia of the patella and extremely poor quadriceps function. These are patients who have remained grossly symptomatic in spite of continuous conservative and/or surgical treatment for a period of at least 2 years.