Knee pain referable to the patellofemoral articulation is common in the general population. It remains a troubling problem for the orthopedic surgeon. Frequently, initial therapy, involving activity modification, anti-inflammatory medications, and isometric quadriceps strengthening, is successful in relieving symptoms.
Surgical intervention is normally reserved for those patients with pain that is resistant to these modalities. Unfortunately, none of the various surgical options has proved to be totally dependable, durable, or reproducible. The results of isolated patellar and patellofemoral resurfacing procedures have been guarded. Patellar resurfacing appears to be most beneficial in younger patients with severe anterior knee pain.