Is patellectomy compatible with an Army career?

The aim of this study was to assess the impact of patellectomy on the service career of soldiers. Information on 184 individuals on whom patellectomy was performed between 1981 and 1986, was retrieved from computer records. The criterion for success of the operation was the recovery to a fully fit category. Fifty three patients (29%) regained full fitness. The outcome of patellectomies performed for chondromalacia patellae and osteoarthritis appears to be worse than that for patellar fractures.