Patellectomy

Written by Dr Sheila Strover on March 14, 2025

Patellectomy is a surgical procedure where part or all of the patella bone is cut out.

This illustration shows the patellar tendon sewn up after the patella has been removed.

patellectomy-post.jpg

Why remove a kneecap?

When a patellar fracture is comminuted - or star-shaped - it may be impossible to hold the fragments together with wires, and removal of this important bone may be the only option.

"....Extensive comminution of the distal pole or a fragment of the patella which cannot be fixed internally is indication for partial patellectomy....Total patellectomy is indicated for comminuted fractures in which there are no large fragments to be stabilized by internal fixation...."

Arash Sharafatvaziri et al

Rarely, disease or tumours may affect the patella, requiring the bone to be excised.

"....Most common tumours affecting the patella in patients less than 40 include giant cell tumour, chondroblastoma, aneurysmal bone cyst, osteoid osteoma and solitary bone cyst; while in patients over 40, metastatic tumours are the most common....."

Eyad Alqasim et al

Surgical technique of patellectomy

Because the patella is embedded in the tendon of the quadriceps muscle, it is actually 'shelled out' from its bed in the tendon without cutting right through the tendon.

"....Acute rupture of the knee extensor mechanism after patellectomy is extremely rare....."

Kemjiro Fujimura et al

The patella helps to improve the power of extension of the knee, but a patient can still straighten the lower limb and bear weight without a patella. It is just a bit inefficient. The patient is likely to have some limitation of extension afterwards, and there may be some calcification where the patella has been shelled out.

"....Total patellectomy can lead to a relative satisfaction in performing activities of daily living....."

Arash Sharafatvaziri et al

"....Calcification was the most commonly observed complication (35.5%) following total patellectomy...."

Xiangtian Deng et al

Back to top

Knee replacement after patellectomy

Removal of the patella does not preclude later knee replacement.

"Despite the mechanical disadvantage to the knee extensor mechanism rendered by a previous patellectomy, TKA for tibiofemoral arthrosis in these patients relieved pain and restored function, but function was on average lower than that in patients with intact patellae."

Reina Yao et al

Back to top

A-Z Keywords

Patellar fracture, Comminuted fracture, Patellar fracture, Extensor mechanism

Forum discussions

Back to top