Partial knee arthroplasty: patellofemoral arthroplasty and combined unicompartmental and patellofemoral arthroplasty implants – general considerations and indications, technique and clinical experience

Background Unicompartmental and patellofemoral arthroplasty (PFA) are not new concepts as shown by different authors, and nowadays surgical solutions other than total knee arthroplasty (TKA) must be considered, exploiting the technical possibilities offered by the new designs of prostheses which have improved the results of already used, old fashioned implants. The aim of our study was to present our experience with PFA and its combination with unicompartmental knee arthroplasty (UKA). Methods From March 2007 to May 2012 we have treated 55 patients with a patellofemoral joint arthroplasty; in 25 cases we have performed an isolated PFA and in 30 cases a combined UKA and PFA. The mean follow-up in the group of isolated patellofemoral joint arthroplasty was 56.5 months; in the combined implant the mean follow-up was 59 months. Results In both group we found an significant improvement of HSS, KSS and OKS scores with results at final follow-up ranging from good to excellent. Conclusions Partial knee arthroplasty shows promising results at mid-term follow-up.