The Journey patellofemoral joint arthroplasty: A minimum 5year follow-up study

Background The Journey patellofemoral joint arthroplasty (PFA) was designed to improve patient outcomes following surgical management of patellofemoral joint osteoarthritis. It is based on the asymmetric trochlear geometry of the Genesis II total knee arthroplasty, with Oxinium components, to provide a reliable treatment option in an often young, high demand group of patients. Methods We report the minimum five year functional outcome and survivorship of the Journey PFA performed at our institution between October 2005 and September 2009. Results A total of 101 Journey PFAs were implanted in 83 patients, and we have complete outcomes for 90 implants (89%). There were 80 implants in female patients, and the mean age at time of surgery was 60 years (26 to 86). The median Oxford Knee Score (0 to 48) improved from 18 to 30, and median Western Ontario and McMaster University Osteoarthritis Short Form Index (0 to 60) improved from 22 to 35. There were a total of 12 revisions, with mean time to revision 50 months (10 to 99). Conclusions The Journey PFA gives a good medium-term functional outcome with 88% survivorship at a mean of seven years. This is the largest study of Journey PFA in the literature, and it provides a reliable option for patients with isolated patellofemoral joint osteoarthritis when arthroplasty is considered.