Superior Pain Reduction with AMZ vs. Non-Operative Management for Patellofemoral Osteoarthritis

In an effort to avoid arthroplasty at a relatively young age, unloading tibial tuberosity anteromedialization (AMZ) has been increasingly utilized in the treatment of symptomatic isolated patellofemoral osteoarthritis (PFOA). The purpose this study was compare outcomes PFOA patients treated non-operatively with those operatively AMZ. A retrospective chart review performed identify who were either managed or Patients previous knee surgery, systemic inflammatory metabolic conditions, compromised quadriceps function, contraindications anesthesia, smoking history excluded. surveyed Visual Analogue Pain Scale (VAS), Knee Injury and Osteoarthritis Outcome Score for Joint Replacement (KOOS-JR), Anterior (Kujala), Tegner Activity Scale. number intra-articular injections, duration NSAID use, PT sessions recorded quantify non-operative management. Statistical analysis included two-sample t-testing, one-way ANOVA, bivariate analysis. clinical 49 (mean age: 52.69 +/- 11.29 years, mean follow-up:1.72 1.02 years) 30 31.79 9.4 follow-up: 3.48 1.73 assessed. Mean reduction VAS scores, pre- versus post-treatment, significantly greater than that seen among (4.39 2.59, 2.56 3.16, p=0.007). There no significant difference KOOS-JR, Kujala, scores between groups. Additionally, there relationship use on group. An AMZ provides better pain relief compared management should be considered as viable option would like arthroplasty.