Avon patellofemoral arthroplasty. Five year survivorship and functional results from an independent centre

Abstract

The aim was to review this series of Avon Patellofemoral Joint Replacements (APFJR) presenting comparable clinical, functional, radiological and survivorship results to published reports.

Retrospective analysis was performed of all consecutive cases of APFJR from October 1999 to January 2010. Each patient had clinical, functional and radiological follow up with post-operative radiological review to check for loosening and progression of disease. Revision to Total Knee Replacement was taken as the endpoint.

83 APFJRs were implanted in 56 patients for established patellofemoral arthritis. Mean follow- up was 5.4 years (0.5-11). The five-year survival rate was 95% (95% CI 88.12%-99.88%) with 5 revisions. Oxford knee score showed significant improvement from 17(IQR 11-21) to 35(IQR 26-41). These results compare closely to the original series.

This study demonstrates satisfactory results in the medium term leading to increased confidence in the use of patellofemoral arthroplasty.