Patellofemoral arthrosis has been a big challenge for the orthopedic surgeon regarding treatment. Several techniques have been described and have been used during the last decades, with questionable success. Among those, the total knee arthroplasty-a total knee joint replacement-is the technique that has presented the most satisfactory outcomes. Nonetheless, it seems to be quite an aggressive procedure, as solely the patellofemoral joint is compromised. Another obstacle found is that such pathology usually compromises young individuals, who are commonly at the top of their economically active lives. Soft tissue interposition arthroplasties and, among these, the fascia lata interposition arthroplasty have been described for the treatment of some degenerative, neoplastic, or infectious arthropathies, particularly on the upper limbs. Recent studies in animal models have shown rather enthusiastic results from the use of fascia lata interposition at the patellofemoral joint.
By the interposition of a fascia lata flap, removed from the ipsilateral thigh, and after the preparation of an adequate patellar bed, one creates another smoother, painless, and with less attrition joint surface, producing a more favorable and less symptomatic knee biomechanics for patients having patellofemoral arthrosis. Thus, fascia lata interposition arthroplasty has shown to be a useful tool for the management of that pathology.