(iii) The patella in primary and revision total knee arthroplasty

The debate as to whether or not to resurface the patella at the time of knee arthroplasty continues, with arguments both for and against. This article reviews the role of patellar resurfacing in both primary and revision knee arthroplasty, with emphasis on appropriate patient selection, surgical technique and potential complications. The conundrum of how best to manage the patient with anterior knee pain after previous knee arthroplasty is explored, along with particular focus on the difficult issue of how best to manage the patella at the time of revision knee arthroplasty surgery.