Patellar tracking in knee arthroplasty

Knee arthroplasty is a demanding procedure that, when carried out appropriately, results in significant pain relief and patient satisfaction. The success of the operation is influenced by many factors. The most important ones describe the implant design, the orientation of the components and the ligament tension. The patellofemoral joint is often neglected as an important part of the operation. Initially, complications in the area of the patellofemoral joint do not appear to be devastating, but in many cases, they lead to significant consequences for the patient, along with severe pain and limited mobility. The most common complications arise from patellar maltracking. This often occurs due to misplacement of the tibial and femoral components and the altered shape of the patella. If the placement of the components with regard to patellar tracking is considered, bony and/or soft tissue addressing measures remain to further optimize the movement of the patella. The following manuscript is dedicated to discussing causes to avoid patellar maltracking and improve clinical outcomes.