Patellar denervation in total knee arthroplasty without patellar resurfacing: a prospective, randomized controlled study

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35 patients undergoing single-stage bilateral total knee arthroplasty (TKA) (70 knees) were included in this trial to determine the effect of patellar denervation on post-operative knee pain. Included patients underwent removal of all osteophytes and patellar denervation by electro-cautery during TKA on one side, and received debridement alone on the contralateral side as a control. Pre- and post-operative anterior knee pain was assessed with a mean follow-up of 36 months to examine the clinical and radiological results of patellar denervation in TKA without patellar resurfacing. In KSS score, range of motion and VAS pain, there was a significant pre- to post-operative difference in favor of the denervation group.