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Is the degree of osteophyte formation associated with the symptoms and functions in the patellofemoral joint in patients undergoing total knee arthroplasty?

  • Knee
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Knee Surgery, Sports Traumatology, Arthroscopy Aims and scope

Abstract

Osteophyte formation and loss of articular cartilage are the main pathologic features of osteoarthritis in the patellofemoral joint. The goal of this study was to determine whether the degree of osteophyte formation was associated with the degree of cartilage loss and the patellofemoral symptoms and functions in osteoarthritic patients undergoing total knee arthroplasty (TKA). We evaluated 71 knees in 54 consecutive patients who underwent TKA under the diagnosis of osteoarthritis. The degree of patellofemoral osteophyte formation was assessed by proportional diameter and proportional rim involvement. The cartilage status was assessed by depth and size of the cartilage lesion. The patellofemoral symptoms and functions included anterior knee pain, abilities of chair-rising and stair-climbing and quadriceps muscle power. No significant association was found between the degrees of patellar or trochlear osteophyte formation with anterior knee pain or any of the patellofemoral functional parameters (P > 0.05). The degree of osteophyte formation in the patella and the trochlea had a significant but weak correlation with the status of patellar cartilage and the status of the trochlear cartilage, respectively (correlation coefficient = 0.22–0.41 and P < 0.05). This study indicates that physicians need to be cautious not to easily reach the conclusion that the patellofemoral symptoms and functional disabilities can be attributed to the presence of osteophyte in the patellofemoral joint in consulting patients with the patellofemoral radiographs or deciding on patellar resurfacing in TKA.

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Acknowledgment

This study was supported by the grants of Korean Human Technology Research Foundation (KOHTERF 97-10) & Seoul National University Bundang Hospital Research Fund (060429). The authors thank KS Shin and SW Yoon for their help with this study.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Orthopaedic Surgery, Seoul National University College of Medicine, Seoul, South Korea

    Ilkyu Han, Chong Bum Chang, Sang Cheol Seong & Tae Kyun Kim

  2. Joint Reconstruction Center, Seoul National University Bundang Hospital, 300 Gumidong, Bundangu, Seongnamsi, Gyunggido, 463-707, South Korea

    Ilkyu Han, Chong Bum Chang, Jung-Ah Choi, Yeon Gwi Kang & Tae Kyun Kim

  3. Department of Diagnostic Radiology, Seoul National University Bundang Hospital, Seongnamsi, South Korea

    Jung-Ah Choi

Authors
  1. Ilkyu Han
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  2. Chong Bum Chang
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  3. Jung-Ah Choi
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  4. Yeon Gwi Kang
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  5. Sang Cheol Seong
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  6. Tae Kyun Kim
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Correspondence to Tae Kyun Kim.

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Han, I., Chang, C.B., Choi, JA. et al. Is the degree of osteophyte formation associated with the symptoms and functions in the patellofemoral joint in patients undergoing total knee arthroplasty?. Knee Surg Sports Traumatol Arthrosc 15, 372–377 (2007). https://doi.org/10.1007/s00167-006-0190-y

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