Patella baja complicating total knee arthroplasty. A report of two cases.

Severe noniatrogenic patella baja is a rare condition. Two cases were seen accompanying severe osteoarthritis of the knee. In both cases, following total knee arthroplasty the patella failed to make contact with the femoral component. The tibial tubercle had to be shifted proximally 2 cm to restore the normal joint mechanics. In one case, dislocation of the patella to gain access to the knee could be achieved only with osteotomy of the tibial tubercle. The technique of tibial tubercle elevation adopted was to raise a long bone flap. This allowed the tibial tubercle to be moved proximally and anchored securely.