Nineteen total patelectomies were performed since 1981. The indication was femoropatellar osteoarthritis in nine cases, anterior knee pain syndrome in eight, and conminute fractures in two. The mean age of the group at the time of operation was 48 years (25-80). A1l the patients with anterior knee pain syndrome had been operated previously. With an average followup time of 7.8 years (3-14), vve reviewed our patients clinically and radiographically. We used the International Knee Society rating scale and found 58% of excellent and good results; 100% of the patients operated because of osteoarthritis and 50% of those operated because an anterior knee pain syndrome have pain at review. Total patellectomy is not a frequent technique. Today, the sole indications are very conminute fractures of the patella, femoropatellar osteoarthritis in those patients in which total knee arthroplasty is not indicated and in the anterior knee pain syndrome not improved with other treatments.

Nineteen total patelectomies were performed since 1981. The indication was femoropatellar osteoarthritis in nine cases, anterior knee pain syndrome in eight, and conminute fractures in two. The mean age of the group at the time of operation was 48 years (25-80). A1l the patients with anterior knee pain syndrome had been operated previously. With an average followup time of 7.8 years (3-14), vve reviewed our patients clinically and radiographically. We used the International Knee Society rating scale and found 58% of excellent and good results; 100% of the patients operated because of osteoarthritis and 50% of those operated because an anterior knee pain syndrome have pain at review. Total patellectomy is not a frequent technique. Today, the sole indications are very conminute fractures of the patella, femoropatellar osteoarthritis in those patients in which total knee arthroplasty is not indicated and in the anterior knee pain syndrome not improved with other treatments.