Extensor mechanism

Surgical Insights

Extensor mechanism problems after total knee arthroplasty Why they arise and how to deal with them

In spite of the good prosthesis survival rates and clinical outcomes after TKA nowadays, significant impairment can ensue from complications related to the extensor mechanism like patellofemoral instability, patellar fractures, and extensor tendon ruptures. As failure mechanisms are manifold, so are the corresponding treatment modalities. Identifying the individual failure mode is essential to select the appropriate treatment mode for the individual patient, which is the basis for a satisfactory outcome. Contributors: Guillermo Bonilla, Clemens Gwinner, Yixin Zhou

Patellofemoral instability after total knee arthroplasty (TKA)