Patellar Vascularity After Total Knee Replacement

Abstract

Patellar vascularity after cementless total knee replacement was evaluated by Tc99m bone scans on 16 knees of 12 cases. A 15.5 months postoperative period was chosen as optimal timing for bone scanning because of the frequency of patellar complications in this period. The evaluation was made visually and by calculating roi values. These as no significant change in patellar vascularity after total knee replacement using metal-backed patellar component. But, compared to osteoarthritic cases, in cases with rheumatoid arthritis, there was a significant decrease of patellar vascularity. Therefore, excessive soft tissue dissection and bone resection should be avoided in these cases, and Subvastus approach which protects patellar vascularity must chosen.