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Background and purpose — Recent research on outcomes after total knee arthroplasty (TKA) has raised the question of the ability of traditional outcome measures to distinguish between treatments. We compared functional outcomes in patients undergoing TKA with and without patellar resurfacing, using the knee injury and osteoarthritis outcome score (KOOS) as the primary outcome and 3 traditional outcome measures as secondary outcomes. Patients and methods — 129 knees in 115 patients (mean age 70 (42–82) years; 67 female) were evaluated in this single-center, randomized, double-blind study. Data were recorded preoperatively, at 1 year, and at 3 years, and were assessed using repeated-measures mixed models. Results — The mean subscores for the KOOS after surgery were statistically significantly in favor of patellar resurfacing: sport/recreation, knee-related quality of life, pain, and symptoms. No statistically significant differences between the groups were observed with the Knee Society clinical rating system, with the Oxford knee score, and with visual analog scale (VAS) for patient satisfaction. Interpretation — In the present study, the KOOS—but no other outcome measure used—indicated that patellar resurfacing may be beneficial in TKA. [ABSTRACT FROM PUBLISHER]

Background: In Norway, the Code of Ethics for Doctors and the Patients' Rights Act require informed consent before surgery. Written information and consent may increase the patient's interest in clinical decision making but will also focus on the risks., Material and Methods: This article investigates the attitude of two populations of patient to thorough information about the potential risks of surgery and their attitude to written information and consent. 91 patients accepted for total knee arthroplasty or arthroscopic acromioplasty were offered written information material, a consent form, and a questionnaire., Results: All patients were in favour of that thorough information should be given about the risks of surgery; only three felt that this information caused anxiety. Three patients abstained from the operation after having read the information material; 39 stated that information in writing had improved their ability to decide whether or not to accept the operation. 69 patients stated that giving written consent is a valuable approach., Interpretation: In patients prepared for total knee arthroplasty or arthroscopic acromioplasty, information and consent forms with detailed information about risks could be a valuable supplement to oral information for the purpose of obtaining truly informed consent.