Patellar Meniscus in Total Knee Arthroplasty

Carlos J. Lavernia; Daniel A. Sheldon; Victor H. Hernández; Michele R. D'Apuzzo; David J. Lee; Kenneth A. Krackow; David S. Hungerford

doi:10.1055/s-0030-1248033

The Journal of Knee Surgery, Table of Contents

J Knee Surg 2007; 20(2): 142-146
DOI: 10.1055/s-0030-1248033

Original Article

Patellar Meniscus in Total Knee Arthroplasty

Carlos J. Lavernia¹ , Daniel A. Sheldon² , Victor H. Hernández¹ , Michele R. D'Apuzzo¹ , David J. Lee⁴ , Kenneth A. Krackow³ , David S. Hungerford²

¹The Orthopaedic Institute at Mercy Hospital, Miami, Fla
²The Department of Orthopedic Surgery, Johns Hopkins University, Baltimore, Md
³Buffalo General Hospital, Buffalo, NY
⁴The Department of Epidemiology, University of Miami School of Medicine, Miami, Fla

Abstract

ABSTRACT

Twenty-four clinically successful, autopsy retrieved porous-coated anatomic total knee arthroplasty (TKA) specimens were evaluated to determine the structure and function of the patellar meniscus. Mean implant duration was 76 months (range: 11-135 months). Histological examination showed the patellar meniscus to be composed of dense fibrous tissue with scattered regions of chronic granulomatous response to polyethylene debris. Patellar wear and polyethylene exposed patellar surface area were correlated with implant duration (r=0.47, P =.03; r = 0.52, P .06). Postoperative patellar tilt was also associated with patellar component wear (r=0.64, P=.03). No other clinical measures were significantly associated with patellar wear or exposed surface area. Additional research is needed to determine what role, if any, the patellar meniscus plays in TKA outcomes.

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