Observational studyInternational orthopaedics2026
Patellar resurfacing is associated with reduced postoperative effusion compared with synovectomy in severe chondrocalcinosis undergoing total knee arthroplasty.
Observational study in International orthopaedics, 2026. The graph could read no effect estimate from its abstract, so it casts no vote on the map. Cited by 2 papers.
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The abstract states no effect estimate the extractor could read, or names no intervention and outcome on the map, so this paper lights no cell and moves no belief. It is still indexed, cited and linked below.
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Who cites it
2 citing papers in PubMed.
- Factors associated with achieving knee flexion around one hundred and twenty five degrees and numerical rating scale around one at one year after posterior cruciate-retaining total knee arthroplasty.International orthopaedics · 2026Article
- Characteristics of muscle morphological changes in the lower limb after total knee arthroplasty.International orthopaedics · 2026Article
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3 authors.
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No grant is acknowledged in the PubMed record.
Abstract
purposeRegarding patellar resurfacing in total knee arthroplasty (TKA), no consensus has been reached, but most studies have not addressed specific pathological circumstances. Evidence on the roles of patellar resurfacing and synovectomy in managing postoperative effusion in patients with severe chondrocalcinosis is limited. MATERIAL AND
methodsThis single-centre observational cohort study included 160 patients who underwent the same TKA for osteoarthritis with severe chondrocalcinosis (grade 4) between January 2000 and December 2010. A matched design created four comparable groups of 40 patients each: (1) TKA without patellar resurfacing or synovectomy, (2) TKA with patellar resurfacing alone, (3) TKA with synovectomy alone, and (4) TKA with both patellar resurfacing and synovectomy. Severe chondrocalcinosis (advanced calcium pyrophosphate deposition disease) was confirmed through radiographic findings, synovial fluid analysis using polarized light microscopy, and histology. Significant postoperative effusion was diagnosed with ultrasound, quantified by sterile joint aspiration, and classified as stage I (10-20 cm
resultsPostoperative joint effusion varied significantly between the strategies. In the patellar resurfacing group, 25% (10/40) of patients developed only stage I effusion without synovectomy. Conversely, 45% (18/40) of patients in the synovectomy-only group developed stage II effusion, while 62.5% (25/40) of patients without either procedure developed stage III effusion (p < 0.0001). TKA with both patella resurfacing and synovectomy resulted in either stage I (7/40) or stage II effusion (6/40). Multivariate regression confirmed patellar resurfacing as an independent protective factor against postoperative effusion (p < 0.01). Average aspirated effusion volumes further supported these findings: 39 ± 6 cm
conclusionIn severe chondrocalcinosis, patellar resurfacing may be appropriate to prevent joint effusion after TKA.
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