Patellofemoral Arthritis Questions & Answers

Updated: Jun 27, 2022
  • Author: Dinesh Patel, MD, FACS; Chief Editor: Thomas M DeBerardino, MD, FAAOS, FAOA  more...
  • Print
Questions & Answers

Overview

What is patellofemoral arthritis?

What is the anatomy of the knee relevant to patellofemoral arthritis?

What is the pathophysiology of patellofemoral arthritis?

What causes patellofemoral arthritis?

What is the role of anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) reconstruction in the etiology of patellofemoral arthritis?

What is the relationship between patellofemoral joint osteoarthritis and arthritis in other knee compartments?

What is the prevalence of chondromalacia in patellofemoral arthritis?

What is the prevalence of patellofemoral arthritis?

Presentation

What is the focus of clinical history for the evaluation of patellofemoral arthritis?

Which clinical history findings are characteristic of patellofemoral arthritis?

What is included in the physical exam to evaluate patellofemoral arthritis?

What observations should be made during the physical exam to evaluate patellofemoral arthritis?

Which measurements are taken during the physical exam to evaluate patellofemoral arthritis?

How is the physical exam to evaluate patellofemoral arthritis performed?

DDX

Which factors increase the risk for patellofemoral arthritis?

What are the differential diagnoses for Patellofemoral Arthritis?

Workup

What is the role of imaging studies in the workup of patellofemoral arthritis?

What is the role of lab tests in in the workup of patellofemoral arthritis?

What is the role of radiography in the workup of patellofemoral arthritis?

What is the role of arthroscopy in the diagnosis of patellofemoral arthritis?

Which histologic findings are characteristic of patellofemoral arthritis?

Treatment

How is patellofemoral arthritis treated?

What is included in conservative management of patellofemoral arthritis?

What is the role of surgery in the treatment of patellofemoral arthritis?

What is the role of arthroscopy in the treatment of patellofemoral arthritis?

What is the role of malalignment correction in the treatment of patellofemoral arthritis?

What is the role of cartilage transplantation in the treatment of patellofemoral arthritis?

What is the role of autologous cartilage transplantation in the treatment of patellofemoral arthritis?

What is the role of osteochondral allografting in the treatment of patellofemoral arthritis?

What is the role of patellectomy in the treatment of patellofemoral arthritis?

What is the role of patellofemoral arthroplasty in the treatment of patellofemoral arthritis?

What is the role of total knee arthroplasty in the treatment of patellofemoral arthritis?

What is the role of bicompartmental knee arthroplasty in the treatment of patellofemoral arthritis?

What is the role of patellar resurfacing in total knee arthroplasty for patellofemoral arthritis?

What is the role of partial lateral facetectomy in the treatment of patellofemoral arthritis?

What is included in postoperative follow-up following surgery for patellofemoral arthritis?

What are the possible complications of surgery to treat patellofemoral arthritis?

What is the prognosis of patellofemoral arthritis following surgery?

Medications

What is the role of medications in the treatment of patellofemoral arthritis?

Which medications in the drug class Nonsteroidal Anti-Inflammatory Drugs are used in the treatment of Patellofemoral Arthritis?