When secondary patellar resurfacing is performed, a uniformly and widely used scoring system that is validated for anterior knee pain caused by a retropatellar degeneration will give more insight into the results of this procedure. The cause of anterior knee pain following total knee arthroplasty (TKA) is not always related to the patella itself. Other causes have been identified, such as an insufficient posterior cruciate ligament in the case of a posterior cruciate-retaining TKA or an internally rotated femoral and/or tibial component. Treatment of anterior knee pain following primary TKA with secondary patellar resurfacing is a controversial procedure with uncertain outcomes. The purpose of this study is to systematically review the available peer-reviewed literature on patient satisfaction and functional outcomes of secondary resurfacing. The authors performed a systematic computerized database search of the Cochrane Database of Systematic Reviews, MEDLINE, and EMBASE in October 2014. The quality of the included studies was assessed using the Grading of Recommendations Assessment, Development and Evaluation approach. A total of 15 articles met the inclusion criteria. In total, 148 (64%) of 232 patients were satisfied with the outcomes of secondary patellar resurfacing. A statistically significant improvement in knee scores was noted in all 9 studies that reported functional outcomes, although no clinically significant improvement in knee scores was observed. Reported complications include infections and impaired wound healing, patellar instability, and patellar fracture. Because the available evidence is of generally low quality, the results of this systematic review only support a weak recommendation for secondary patellar resurfacing if patient satisfaction and clinically important improvement of functional outcomes are the desired endpoints. [Orthopedics.2016; 39(5):e850-e856.].
Introduction
The long head of biceps tendon is frequently involved in degenerative rotator cuff tears. Therefore, this study explored the clinical results of an isolated biceps tenotomy and identified prognostic factors for improvement in pain and function.
Materials and methods
Between 2008 and 2017, an arthroscopic isolated biceps tenotomy was performed on 64 patients with a degenerative rotator cuff tear (> 65 years). Primary outcome was patient-perceived improvement in pain and function. Potential prognostic factors for improvement in pain and function were identified.
Results
A perceived improvement in pain was reported in 78% of the patients at three months after surgery and in 75% at a mean follow-up of 4.2 years (1–7 years; n = 55). A perceived improvement in function was observed in 49% of patients at three months and in 76% of patients at follow-up. Patients with a preoperatively normal acromiohumeral distance (> 10 mm) reported an improvement in pain and function significantly more often. Retraction of the supraspinatus tendon Patte 3 was significantly associated with worse functional outcome.
Conclusions
A biceps tenotomy can be a reliable treatment option for patients with symptomatic degenerative cuff tears who fail conservative treatment and have a normal acromiohumeral distance (> 10 mm).
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