To Retain or Resurface the Patella in Primary Total Knee Arthroplasty: A Comparative Study.

 To evaluate and compare clinically and functionally patients undergoing primary total knee arthroplasty (TKA) with preservation or replacement of the patella.  In a cross-sectional study, the functional results were evaluated and compared, using the Western Ontario and McMaster Universities (WOMAC) and Lequesne scores, of 158 patients undergoing primary TKA (162 knees); in 81 knees the patella was submitted to arthroplasty and in 81 the joint surface of the patella was preserved.  No significant differences were identified in terms of the Lequesne score (p = 0.