| The knee can be divided into three joints; medial or | | | | 5. Failed extensor unloading procedure |
| inside, lateral or outside, and patello-femoral or | | | | 6. Patellofemoral malalignment/dysplasia induced |
| kneecap joint. If the kneecap joint alone is affected | | | | degeneration with or without instability |
| by arthritis then an artificial joint can replace this part. | | | | Procedure of Patellectomy Replacement : |
| Trochlear dysplasia is a common precursor of | | | | The kneecap is resurfaced with a plastic button, and |
| patellofemoral arthritis and may account, in part, for | | | | a metallic shield is placed in the "trochlear groove" of |
| persistent anterior knee pain. The surgical options for | | | | the thighbone. This procedure is reserved for patients |
| these patients are arthroscopic debridement, | | | | whose arthritis is confined to the patellofemoral |
| patellofemoral replacement, total knee replacement, | | | | compartment, i.e. the kneecap and the underlying |
| or, rarely, patellectomy. | | | | thighbone. A patellofemoral joint implant is a fraction |
| Indications: | | | | of the size of a total knee replacement, and |
| 1. Degenerative osteoarthritis limited to the | | | | therefore allows maximal bone preservation, which is |
| patellofemoral joint | | | | vital, especially in younger patients. There is less of a |
| 2. Symptoms are severe affecting the daily activity | | | | surgical dissection, the time spent in the hospital is |
| referable to patellofemoral joint degeneration, no | | | | shorter, the motion is better. |
| response to the lengthy nonsurgical options and/or | | | | Patellofemoral replacement ("kneecap replacement", |
| failed prior conservative procedures | | | | patellofemoral arthroplasty) is one type of minimally |
| 3. Post traumatic osteoarthritis | | | | invasive knee surgery. The components are very |
| 4. Extensive Grade 3 chondrosis | | | | small compared to a standard total knee replacement. |