Description
In this seminar presentation, orthopedic surgeon Andreas Imhoff discusses his extensive experience and insights into patellofemoral joint resurfacing, a critical procedure for patients suffering from patellofemoral osteoarthritis, which he notes has seen a rise even among younger patients. He begins by expressing gratitude for his invitation from the British Orthopedic Sports Association before highlighting the commonality of patellofemoral osteoarthritis, which affects about 10% of knee pain patients.
Imhoff outlines various etiological factors for this condition, including trauma and anatomical abnormalities such as trochlear dysplasia and patellar instability. He reviews historical attempts at designing implants, illustrating how past designs like the Richards and Lubinus implants faced challenges such as poor survival rates and symptoms of osteoarthritis progression.
He emphasizes the evolution of implant design, noting innovations with the Journey PFJ prosthesis, which offered improvements due to its anatomical asymmetry and additional sizes. Further, he notes advancements in implant materials with the use of Oxinium and discusses a new inlay design that allows for better fit without cement. Imhoff showcases several clinical cases where these implants were applied, demonstrating notable outcomes of pain relief and functional improvement in patients.
He also addresses the importance of comprehensive assessments including dynamic kinematic measurements, explaining the necessity of combining patellofemoral resurfacing with additional surgical corrections when indicated.
In closing, Imhoff presents evidence from a two-year study showing the effectiveness of modern inlay arthroplasty procedures for managing isolated patellofemoral osteoarthritis, emphasizing patient selection and the achievement of favorable pain relief and functional recovery. He wraps up with acknowledgments to his team and encourages further exploration of the latest publications on the subject.