Editorial Commentary: Isolated Patellofemoral Osteoarthritis May Be Treated Arthroscopically: Arthroscopic Partial Lateral Facetectomy Is a Good Alternative to More Aggressive Techniques

Abstract

Isolated patellofemoral osteoarthritis is not uncommon, and treatment remains controversial. Several surgical procedures have been performed to treat this condition. The success of surgery highly depends on the technique and the patient selection. The surgeon can choose between a relatively extreme total knee replacement, with predictable results, or operations demanding less surgical dissection and resection, but offering less certainty. Partial lateral facetectomy is a minimally invasive procedure that is simple and effective enough in selected patients with up to 10 years follow-up. An even less aggressive technique, the arthroscopic partial lateral facetectomy in combination with lateral retinacular release, has been shown to be safe, practical, reproducible, and with a low rate of complications and revision surgery at mid-term follow-up. Benefits of arthroscopic techniques include decreased bleeding, less postoperative pain, ability to treat concomitant pathology, and better cosmesis.