This systematic review is limited by the lack of level one randomised controlled trials (RCTs). There is however moderate level evidence that IPFP resection increases post-operative knee pain. Further level one RCTs are required to produce evidence-based guidelines regarding IPFP resection. Systematic Review Level of Evidence: 3.

BackgroundDifficulties in kneeling, one of the poorest scoring functional outcomes post total knee arthroplasty (TKA),have been attributed to a lack of patient education. This is the first study to investigate specific factors affecting a patient’s perceived ability to kneel post TKA, following exposure to a preoperative kneeling education session.Materials and methodsA cross-sectional study was conducted following TKA with patients who had been educated about kneeling prior to the operation. Patients completed kneeling questionnaires at 6 (n = 115) and 12 (n = 82) months post TKA. In addition to the 12-month kneeling questionnaire, patients also completed the Oxford knee score (OKS) survey.ResultsSeventy-two percent of patients perceived they could kneel at 12 months post TKA. Overall, pain and discomfort were the most common factors deterring patients from kneeling. Perceived kneeling ability was the poorest scored outcome on the OKS with patients reporting mild to moderate difficulty with this task. Kneeling scores were strongly correlated with overall knee function scores (R = 0.70), strongly correlated with pain scores (R = 0.45) and weakly correlated with knee stability scores (R = 0.29). When asked about other factors preventing kneeling other than pain or discomfort, 75 % had reasons unrelated to the knee or TKA. The most common reason was ‘problems with the other knee’ (n = 19).ConclusionsPatients in this study were provided with education regarding their kneeling ability post TKA, yet still experienced limitations in perceived kneeling ability postoperatively. Contrary to previous research, our study suggests that factors other than patient education affect a patient’s perceived kneeling ability post TKA.

Background. The infrapatellar fat pad (IPFP) is currently resected in approximately 88% of Total Knee Arthroplasties (TKAs). We hypothesised that an intact IPFP would improve outcomes after TKA. Methods. Patients with an intact IPFP participated in this cross-sectional study by completing two surveys, at 6 and 12 months after TKA. Both surveys included questions regarding kneeling, with the Oxford Knee Score also included at 12 months. Results. Sixty patients participated in this study. At 6 and 12 months, a similar number of patients were able to kneel, 40 (66.7%) and 43 (71.7%), respectively. Fifteen (25.0%) patients were unable to kneel due to knee pain at 6 months; of these, nine (15%) were unable to kneel at 12 months. Moreover, at 12 months, 90.0% of the patients reported minimal or no knee pain. There was no correlation between the inability to kneel and knee pain ( = 0.13). There was a significant correlation between the inability to kneel and reduced overall standardised knee function scores ( = 0.02). Conclusions. This was the first study to demonstrate improved kneeling and descending of stairs after TKA with IPFP preservation. These results in the context of current literature show that IPFP preservation reduces the incidence of knee pain 12 months after TKA.