Arthroscopic patellar denervation with microfracture for treating patellofemoral arthritis in cold weather conditions: a retrospective clinical analysis

Abstract

Objective To evaluate the clinical efficacy of combining arthroscopic patellar denervation with microfracture in the treatment of patellofemoral arthritis under cold weather conditions. Methods A total of 134 patients with patellofemoral arthritis who underwent treatment between June 2019 and June 2021 were included in this study. Patients were randomly divided into two groups: the control group, which received standard arthroscopic debridement and conventional therapy, and the study group, which underwent additional peripatellar denervation and microfracture procedures. Clinical outcomes, including Tegner scores, hospital for special surgery (HSS) scores, and treatment-related adverse events, were evaluated and compared between the two groups. Results The study group achieved a significantly higher excellent treatment rate (95.52%, 64/67) compared to the control group. Posttreatment Tegner scores (5.48 ± 1.86) and HSS scores (86.37 ± 11.25) were also significantly better in the study group than in the control group. Furthermore, the incidence of adverse reactions was lower in the study group (4.48%, 3/67), with statistically significant differences observed (P < 0.05). Conclusion Arthroscopic patellar denervation combined with microfracture markedly improves clinical outcomes, including Tegner and HSS scores, in the treatment of patellofemoral arthritis, particularly under cold weather conditions. The procedure is effective and safe, supporting its broader clinical application.

Keywords

arthroscopy / patella / denervation / microfracture / patellofemoral arthritis / cold weather

Author contributions

Ma X N drafted the manuscript and performed data analysis. Zhang X and Ma X N designed, organized, and conducted the study, serving as guarantors for the manuscript. Ma Y K contributed to the collection of resources and provided assistance in drafting the manuscript. Zhao Y H and Liu K participated in the literature review and critically revised the paper. All authors contributed to the development of the article and approved the final submitted version.

Source of funding

This work was supported by grants from the Natural Science Foundation of Heilongjiang Province of China (JQ2020H003), Heilongjiang Postdoctoral Fund (NO.LBH-Z23257), and the Innovative Science Research Fund of Harbin Medical University (also known as Heilongjiang Provincial University's Project of Graduate Scientific Research Business Fees) (2022-KYYWF-0274), and the Youth TCM scientific research Project of Heilongjiang Province TCM Administration (ZHY2024-283).

Ethical approval

This study was approved by the Institutional Ethics Committee of the Second Affiliated Hospital of Harbin Medical University (KY2024-157).

Informed consent

All patients provided signed informed consent.

Conflict of interest

The authors have not identified any potential conflicts of interest.

Data availability statement

Data supporting the findings of this study are available from the corresponding author upon reasonable request.

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