Objective: The aim of this prospective study is to evaluate how much damage the patellar cartilage presents during a total knee replacement. Methods: The damage of the articular patellar surface was analysed by visual inspection and photographs in 354 primary total knee replacements. The authors graded the degree of cartilage lesion in five groups. The cartilage status was analyzed and correlated with age, gender, side, body mass index (BMI), Kellgren-Lawrence radiographic scale and axial

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... ion. Results: After statistical analysis, we concluded: there was no evidence of an association between patellar arthrosis and age gender, side, weight and deformity. Conclusions: Articular cartilage was damaged in all 354 knees. Important subchondral bone exposure occurred in 274 knees (77.4%). Obese patients had more severe patellar osteoarthritis.