- Discussion:
- cause of discomfort in anterior aspect of the knee;
- caused by persistent traction at the cartilaginous junction of patella & patellar ligament, usually at inferior patellar pole;
- usually seen in an active preteen boy who complains of activity-related pain;
- differential diagnosis:
- pediatric patella avulsion fractures
- patellar stress fracture;
- bipartite patella (type I)
- Osgood Schlatter's disease)
- calcification is present at the inferior pole of the patella (where as tenderness or calcification along the tibial tubercle;
- jumper's knee is considered in older adolescents;
- Exam:
- tenderness is found at inferior pole of patella;
- occasionally, similar symptoms can occur proximally, at the junction of the quadriceps tendon and the patella;
- X-rays:
- may show varying amounts and shapes of calcification or ossification at junction of the patella and the ligament;
- Treatment:
- does not require operative treatment;
- responds to quadriceps strengthening exercises;
- symptoms usually resolve with progressive skeletal maturation, but may take well over one year;
- in rare instances, operative debridement of necrotic intratendinous tissue causing a jumper's knee may be needed in patients who do not respond to non-operative management
Sinding-Larsen-Johansson disease. Its etiology and natural history.