Influence of Patella Height on Knee Joint Function after Total Knee Arthroplasty: A Retrospective Study

Abstract

Purpose: The aim of this study was to explore the correlation between the change of patella height and postoperative functional outcomes, range of motion, and patellar crepitus after total knee arthroplasty. Materials and methods: Analysis of an observational, retrospective case series was conducted on 116 patients suffering total knee arthroplasty in the Department of Orthopedics from August 2020 to September 2022. According to the mBP ratio of postoperation, the patients were divided into normal patella height, patella baja, and patella alta groups. The primary conditions, KSS, range of motion of keen, and patellar crepitus were collected from the patients in each group during follow-up. Outcome assessors were blinded to the groups during the study. Results: There was no significant difference in the knee score of KSS among the groups (P = 0.024); the patella baja group significantly differed in the range of motion compared to the normal patella group (P = 0.037); a statistically significant difference existed in the patella baja group and the normal patella group for the patellar crepitus (P < 0.001); Conclusion: In the patients who underwent the total knee arthroplasty without patella replacement, it was found that abnormal patella position had no significant influence on postoperative KSS, but patella baja seemed to reduce the postoperative range of motion, and increase the rate of patella crepitus.