Patella Resurfacing for Total Knee Replacement
During total knee replacement, your surgeon makes a cut down the front of your knee to expose your kneecap. The kneecap is essentially moved to the side so the surgeon can get to the knee joint behind it. The damaged ends of your thigh bone and shin bone are cut away. The ends are precisely measured and shaped to fit the prosthetic replacement.
Often, the underside of the kneecap (patella) is also resurfaced. Dr. Cory Calendine, Orthopaedic Surgeon discusses the process of partially replacing the under-surface of the kneecap with a prosthetic implant.