Evaluation of patella viability after disruption of the arterial circulation

Abstract

Fifty patients whose surgical approach violated the arterial geniculate circulation to the patella were evaluated to determine the subsequent effect on patella viability. Comparative postoperative radionuclide scans in 100 knees, 50 control and 50 surgical, revealed an avascular insult in only 7 knees (14%). It appears that the intratendinous circulation described by Björkström and Goldie protects the patella from an avascular insult in the presence of geniculate arterial disruption.