Patellofemoral arthroplasty in combination with high tibial osteotomy can achieve good outcome for patients with medial-patellofemoral osteoarthritis

Abstract

BackgroundThe purpose of our study is to report on the clinical outcomes of patients who undergoing patellofemoral arthroplasty (PFA) in combination with a high tibial osteotomy (HTO). Due to this procedure's conservative and kinematics-preserving characteristics, we hypothesized that PFA in combination with HTO would result in good clinical outcomes in patients with medial and patellofemoral compartment osteoarthritis (MPFOA).MethodsPatients who underwent PFA in combination with HTO for MPFOA from January 2018 to April 2020 were included in the study. Clinical outcomes were analyzed by comparing the Knee Society Score, Oxford Knee Score, Range of Motion, and Forgotten Joint Score before and after the procedure. Radiological evaluations were also performed to assess the tibiofemoral osteoarthritis progression and implant loosening. For all tests, the value of p < 0.05 was considered statistically significant.ResultsA total of nine consecutive patients who underwent PFA in combination with HTO were included. Two were males, seven were females. The average follow-up period was 2.6 ± 0.4 years. Clinical outcomes showed a significant improvement in the Knee Society Score (clinical score: 90.3 ± 8.5 and function score: 90.8 ± 7.8), Oxford Knee Score (43.6 ± 3.6), Forgotten Joint Score (71.2 ± 10.2), and knee Range of Motion (130.4 ± 8.1°) at the final follow-up. Additionally, hip–knee–ankle angle significantly decreased from −9.3 ± 2.1° preoperatively to 2.2 ± 1.2° at the final follow-up (p < 0.05). There were no complications for any patient during the follow-up time.ConclusionThis study shows that patients who underwent PFA in combination with HTO for the treatment of MPFOA achieved good clinical and radiological outcomes. This combined surgery could be an effective alternative to treat MPFOA in well-selected patients.