An Usual Painful Bipartite Patella

Abstract

TurkeyMost bipartite patellae are asymptomatic and observed only as an incidental finding when the knee is radiographed for other reasons. Although bipartite patella is usually asymptomatic, it can become painful in subjects following overuse or injury. Most of the patients with painful bipartite patella respond relatively well to nonsurgical treatment. When the pain is persistent and resistant to those conservative treatments, a certain type of surgical procedures can be applied. In this report, we present a case of symptomatic bipartite patella in a patient with no underlying disease.

Successful Treatment of Painful Synchondrosis of Bipartite Patella after Direct Trauma by Operative Fixation: A Series of Six Cases

“…This accessory ossification centre appears at 8-12 years of age [ 1 ]. A bipartite patella is usually asymptomatic, but the literature suggests that approximately 2% of cases may present as anterior knee pain [ 2 , 4 ]. Patients are usually young men below the age of 20 who are actively involved in sporting activities [ 4 , 7 , 8 ], although rarer cases of painful bipartite patella have also been reported in older age groups following strenuous sports or separation secondary to direct trauma [ 5 , 9 ].…”

“…There is also controversy in the management of this condition. Conservative treatment options such as rest, modification of sporting activities, quadriceps exercises and steroid injections have been used as first-line treatments with variable results and high recurrence rates [ 2 ]. Excision of the small bipartite fragment, lateral retinacular release and detachment of the vastus lateralis insertion have also been reported to provide pain relief [ 1 ].…”

“…The patella remains bipartite when secondary ossification centres stop fusing to form a single patella, and may be bilateral in up to 50% of cases [ 1 ]. Symptomatic bipartite patella usually occurs in adolescent males or young athletes and may be a cause of anterior knee pain [ 2 ].…”