Is patellar resurfacing a good procedure?
The procedure is performed when joint cartilage destruction affects the underside of the patella, causing pain.
It may be done as part of a patellofemoral resurfacing procedure, where a trochlear implant is also used for the groove of the femur, but the main tibio-femoral joint surfaces of the knee are left intact. The jury seems to be out when it comes to evaluating whether or not patellar resurfacing is always a good procedure.
"The orthopaedic community...remains deeply divided regarding the issue of patellar resurfacing"