Patellectomy--a 20-year follow-up.

Twenty-seven patients with 28 patellectomies were re-examined after an average of 20 years. Twelve knees rated as excellent, ten as good and six as fair. Even though 12 patients had strenuous work, only three patients had changed occupation. Quadriceps power was on average two-thirds that of the opposite limb. Radiographs showed incipient femoro-tibial arthrosis in four patients only.