The efficacy of patellar denervation on prognosis and kneeling capacity after unicompartmental knee arthroplasty: a randomized clinical trial

The aim of this study was to investigate the effect of patellar denervation (PD) on pain, function and ability to kneel after unicompartmental knee arthroplasty (UKA).

Patients with medial knee osteoarthritis who underwent UKA were prospectively selected. Patients were randomly divided into PD and non-PD groups based on whether patellar denervation was performed. Clinical assessment was performed using the Hospital for Special Surgery (HSS) knee score, Kujiala score, visual analogue scale (VAS) and forgotten joint score (FJS-12), as well as postoperative complications were recorded. The patients’ postoperative self-perception and actual ability to perform different kneeling positions were assessed in the two groups.

UKA patients treated with PD achieved better Kujiala scores and FJS-12 scores, reduced anterior knee pain and improved kneeling ability postoperatively, validating the effectiveness of PD in UKA. Perception and actual performance of kneeling remained mismatched in PD patients, but performance during different kneeling activities was generally better than in non-PD patients.

Clinical Trial Registration: ChiCTR1900025669.

Patellar denervation can safely and effectively improve patellofemoral joint function, pain and kneeling ability in the early postoperative period after UKA.