Patellofemoral replacement

Resurfacing surgery replaces areas of damaged or osteoarthritic cartilage on the back of the kneecap and the corresponding groove in the thigh bone with which it articulates (femoral trochlea).

A substantial proportion of the Argentine population is born with alterations in the alignment of the patella as a result of an inherited “design” difference and its patellofemoral tracking is deficient. This condition runs in families and its result is the early development of patellofemoral arthritis in the 3rd and 4th decades of life – while the rest of the joint remains unscathed by wear and tear.

Patients typically complain of “pain” in the front of the knee behind the kneecap, crepitus or “noisy” joints, and problems going up and down stairs, kneeling, knee stiffness when sitting, driving, and standing. squatting. Edema usually appears in the knee in relation to physical activity and in the final stages of the condition, the pain begins to wake the patient at night, causing a marked reduction in the levels of sports activity and daily life.

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Dr. Lisandro Carbó is a specialist in knee surgery, and is trained not to touch the uninjured areas of the knee and only approach the patellofemoral joint with surface arthroplasty.

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This partial resurfacing arthroplasty is performed under general anesthesia using a minimally invasive surgical technique and allows for a much faster return to activity, with a short hospital stay and less pain than traditional total knee replacement techniques. The benefit of partial knee arthroplasty means that more “natural” joint and ligament structures are retained and patients report that the knee “feels normal” with the added benefit of a significant reduction in pain.