- See:
Bipartite Patellae:
- Discussion:
- multipartite patella may present diagnostic dilemma in child with anterior knee symptoms;
- these often incidental radiographic findings have been classified into
three types:
-
type I--at inferior pole (5 % of all lesions)
-
type II--at lateral patellar margin (20 %)
-
type III--at superolateral pole (75 %)
- exact prevalence of bipartite or multipartite patella is unknown;
- bilaterality is uncommon;
- strong nine-to-one male dominance has been a consistent finding;
- Diff Dx:
- acute fracture
- stress fracture
- dorsal patellar defect;
- Exam:
- exam of symptomatic knee shows slightly enlarged patella w/ tenderness
at junction of the main body of patella and the fragment;
- Treatment:
- depends on acuity and severity of symptoms;
- w/ acute injry, pain is usually due to separation between fragment and the
main body of patella, & knee immobilization for 3 weeks wil suffice;
- in chronic cases, modification of activity over three to four weeks
may be all that is required for resolution;
- if symptoms persist, entire fragment, through region where fragment
meets the body of the patella, may be excised to eliminate the
painful pseudarticulation;
Painful bipartite patellae: a report of three cases.
WT Green. CORR Vol 110. p 197-200. 1975.
Painful Bipartite Patella.
A New Approach to Operative Treatment.
Painful bipartite patella following injury.
A Iossifidis and RN Brueton.
Injury Vol 26.
p 175-176.
1995.
