Patella denervation in primary total knee arthroplasty - a randomized controlled trial with 2 years of follow-up.

We randomized 126 consecutive patients undergoing primary total knee arthroplasty into group 1: patella denervation (n = 63) and group 2: no patella denervation (n = 63). Assessment was performed preoperatively and at 3, 12 and 24 months post-operatively. Average follow-up of patients was 26.5 months for denervation group and 26.3 months for no denervation group (P = 0.84). Pain scores for anterior knee pain were significantly better in the denervation group at 3 months but not at 12 and 24 months. Patient satisfaction was higher in the denervation group. Flexion range was higher in the denervation group at 3, 12 and 24 months review (P < 0.01). There were, however, no statistically significant differences with other validated knee scores.