[Therapy of isolated arthritis in the patellofemoral joint: are there evidence-based options?]. / Therapie der isolierten Femoropatellararthrose : Gibt es evidenzbasierte Verfahren?

BACKGROUND: Isolated osteoarthritis of the patellofemoral joint occurs in 9% of patients over 40 years of age and women are more often affected. Options of treatment are varied and not sufficiently justified by the literature. MATERIALS AND METHODS: A literature research with keywords in the field of femoropatellar osteoarthritis was carried out in the relevant databases. Studies were categorized into different treatment options and analyzed. RESULTS: There are almost no level I studies comparing the different treatment options. In the literature there are indications that relief of pain can be achieved by conservative treatment, arthroscopic surgery, cartilage conserving surgery and isolated arthroplasty. CONCLUSION: In view of the fact that there are almost no prospective randomized controlled trials, none of the options for treatment can be highly recommended. There is still no gold standard for the treatment of isolated patellofemoral osteoarthritis.