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Bipartite Patella

  • Chandra M. Jennings and Lindsay Tjiattas-Saleski
Published/Copyright: December 1, 2016
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Journal of Osteopathic Medicine
From the journal Journal of Osteopathic Medicine Volume 116 Issue 12

Keywords: bipartite patella; knee pain; patellar cartilage

Keywords: bipartite patella, knee pain, patellar cartilage

A 28-year-old woman presented to the emergency department with left lateral knee pain after a motor vehicle crash. There was no indication of superficial trauma or deficit on physical examination. Plain radiographs of the left knee (image A and image B) showed patella fragments, which were determined to be secondary to congenital bipartite patella.1 The patient was treated conservatively with nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drug therapy, and rest, ice, compression, and elevation were suggested.

Bipartite patella is caused by a failure in ossification of the patellar cartilage at its secondary ossification center.2 Bipartite patella is usually asymptomatic, but symptoms can be exacerbated by physical activity secondary to microtrauma.3 Management is dependent on the degree of disability. Conservative management includes restriction of activity, nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drug therapy, and corticosteroid joint injections for sustained pain relief.1,4 If conservative management fails or symptoms worsen, surgical intervention may be necessary.

From the Edward Via College of Osteopathic Medicine in Spartanburg, South Carolina (Student Doctor Jennings), and the Department of Emergency Medicine at Midlands Emergency Physicians Group at the Palmetto Tuomey Medical Center in Sumter, South Carolina (Dr Tjiattas-Saleski).

* Address correspondence to Lindsay Tjiattas-Saleski, DO, MBA, Palmetto Tuomey Medical Center, 129 N Washington St, Sumter, SC 29150-4949. E-mail:

References

1. Gaheer RS , KapoorS, RysavyM. Contemporary management of symptomatic bipartite patella.Orthopedics.2009;32(11). doi:10.3928/01477447-20090922-2010.3928/01477447-20090922-20Search in Google Scholar PubMed

2. Price CT , Herrera-SotoJ. Fractures of the patella. In: BeatyB, KasserJ, eds.Rockwood and Wilkins Fractures in Children.Philadelphia, PA: Lippincott Williams & Wilkins;2010:877-880.Search in Google Scholar

3. Westrom M , ParviainenM, PihlajamakiHK. Excision of painful bipartite patella: good long-term outcome in young adults.Clin Orthop Rel Res.2008;466(11):2848-2855. doi:10.1007/s11999-008-0367-410.1007/s11999-008-0367-4Search in Google Scholar PubMed PubMed Central

4. Dundar U , SolakO, CakirT. An [sic] usual painful bipartite patella.Eur J Gen Med.2009;6(1):52-54.Search in Google Scholar
Accepted: 2016-03-15
Published Online: 2016-12-01
Published in Print: 2016-12-01

© 2016 American Osteopathic Association

This work is licensed under the Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial-NoDerivatives 4.0 International License.

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  2. Ten Tips for Maximizing the Effectiveness of Emergency Medicine Procedure Laboratories
  3. ORIGINAL CONTRIBUTION
  4. Assessment of Hospital Staff’s Knowledge of Osteopathic Manipulative Medicine: A Survey-Based Study
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  12. SPECIAL COMMUNICATION
  13. Update on the Pharmacology and Legal Status of Kratom
  14. CASE REPORT
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  16. CLINICAL IMAGES
  17. Bipartite Patella
https://doi.org/10.7556/jaoa.2016.158
Keywords for this article
bipartite patella; knee pain; patellar cartilage
Creative Commons
BY-NC-ND 4.0

Articles in the same Issue

  1. LETTERS TO THE EDITOR
  2. Ten Tips for Maximizing the Effectiveness of Emergency Medicine Procedure Laboratories
  3. ORIGINAL CONTRIBUTION
  4. Assessment of Hospital Staff’s Knowledge of Osteopathic Manipulative Medicine: A Survey-Based Study
  5. Association Between WIC Enrollment and Exclusive Breastfeeding at 3 Months Postpartum Among Low-Income Mothers
  6. REVIEW
  7. Effectiveness of Shared Medical Appointments Targeting the Triple Aim Among Patients With Overweight, Obesity, or Diabetes
  8. CLINICAL REVIEW
  9. Are Low-Carbohydrate Diets Safe and Effective?
  10. MEDICAL EDUCATION
  11. Alternative Scheduling Models: Improving Continuity of Care, Medical Outcomes, and Graduate Medical Education in Resident Ambulatory Training
  12. SPECIAL COMMUNICATION
  13. Update on the Pharmacology and Legal Status of Kratom
  14. CASE REPORT
  15. Osteopathic Manipulative Treatment for Somatic Dysfunction After Acute Severe Traumatic Brain Injury
  16. CLINICAL IMAGES
  17. Bipartite Patella
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