Does Arthroscopic Patellar Denervation With High Tibial Osteotomy Improve Anterior Knee Pain

• Patellofemoral joint osteoarthritis (P.F.O.A) is a highly prevalent disease and an important source of anterior knee pain and Disability during daily activities (kneeling, squatting, climbing stairs, getting up from low chair.( 3,5)
• Coexisting Patellofemoral osteoarthritis (PFOA) and Tibiofemoral O.A disease is a common radiographic pattern of knee OA observed in older adults with knee pain. In addition, symptomatic disease and reduced function are more likely to be found if radiographic OA changes are present in both the TF and PF compartment also it demonstrates features distinctly different from those observed in Tibiofemoral O.A without presence of Patellofemoral osteoarthritis (PFOA) . More specifically, "Moderate/Severe PFOA" seems to be associated with lower limb impairments of lower knee extension strength and limitations of knee range of motion. (14)

• (14,6)
• High tibial osteotomy (HTO) with medial opening wedge has gained in popularity over recent years and is used for the treatment of medial compartmental osteoarthritis (OA) but not for anterior knee pain (P.F.O.A). This procedure is appealing because of the high preservation of the knee joint relative to total knee arthroplasty (TKA) or unicompartmental knee arthroplasty (9)
• High tibial osteotomy (HTO) can cause alterations in patellar height (Patella baja) and alignment which can increase contact stress and eventually lead to anterior Knee pain (13,17)
• The findings indicate that anterior knee pain might be due to OA progression in the patellofemoral joint after HTO (11,12)
• Patellofemoral OA and Cartilage injuries in PF joints tended to progress after Open Wedge HTO which proven by second lock arthroscopy. a significant proportion of patients (about 20%) had grade II OA of the patellofemoral joint at final follow-Up 2yrs. (7,8)
• Anterior knee pain also were quite high (28% and 32% in the opening- and closing-wedge groups) after surgery. Although there are several possible causes for anterior knee pain after HTO, such as surgery itself, alteration of patellar alignment, and OA change in the patellofemoral joint ,patients with severe anterior knee pain were found to have grade II patellofemoral OA. (7,8)
• In spite of its high prevalence, treatment of this painful disorder (PFOA) is challenging due to the diversity of causes of the disorder and the lack of knowledge on articular regeneration, little information is available in the literature about the best conservative or surgical treatment options.(3,5)
• Non-operative treatment options for patellofemoral osteoarthritis include patellar bracing, physical therapy intervention, corticosteroid injections, patellar taping, and strengthening of the quadriceps muscle, this is considered a potential short-term fix for many patients. Ultimately, surgical treatment is necessary to provide a long-term solutions. which include Patellofemoral arthroplasty, total knee replacement with patellar resurfacing,(5)
• Arthroscopic circumpatellar denervation, this joint-preserving, minimal invasive technique provides relief of anterior knee pain. Moreover, this technique provide a faster recovery period immediately after surgery and less morbidity (1,18,19) Arthroscopy will be done in all cases before osteotomy to assess lat. Comp and grade of patellofemoral O.A Arthroscopic patellar denervation with vaper or diathermy will be done plus open wedge high tibial osteotomy in one group and other group OWHTO only will be done comparing the rustles of two groups to assess the efficacy of this procedure

followed by an average follow up to 12 months. And follow up( 6th weeks ,3rd month ,6th month , 12th month)

By clinical examinationan and x-ray and knee scores

• Scoring of patellofemoral disorders( Kujala) score
• Knee Injury and Osteoarthritis Outcome Score (KOOS)

• Inclusion criteria:

• Age 30-60.
• Ant. Knee pain PFOA
• Mild to moderate tibiofemoral joint O.A
• Without involvement of lateral compartment
• Range of motion of at least 120° flexion

7- BMI less than 30

• Exclusion criteria:

• Old Age more than 60 and less than 30.
• Advanced cases tibiofemoral O.A which need TKR
• Flextion deformity more than 15 degree
• Varus degree more than 10 degree
• Inflammatory disease, such as rheumatoid arthritis