Extract
The patellofemoral joint is an important source of pain and complications
following total knee arthroplasty. In a recent series of revisions of total
knee arthroplasties, almost 12% of the reoperations were done because of a
problem related to the extensor
mechanism1. The
prevalence of complications related to the extensor mechanism has generally
decreased over the past twenty years but remains around
4%2-7.
Anterior knee pain, patellar instability, fracture, rupture of the extensor
mechanism, and a variety of miscellaneous problems affecting the patella can
adversely affect the results of a total knee arthroplasty.