Patella Bipartita

Abstract

Bipartite patella also known as patella bipartite, is a condition that is usually an asymptomatic and incidental finding of patella. Nevertheless, it can be a cause of anterior knee pain following acut trauma or a result of overuse or strenuous sports activity seen generally in adolesant patients. The usual treatment for symptomatic bipartite patella is to avoid painful activities. Most patients recover with nonsurgical treatment. Surgery should be considered when only nonsurgical treatment fails. Excision of the fragment is the most preferred surgical option which has good outcomes. Other surgical options are; lateral retinacular release, detachment of the vastus lateralis muscle and internal fixation of the separated fragment. Understanding the possible consequences of different treatment approaches to painful bipartite patella is necessary to preserve quadriceps muscle strength and patellofemoral joint function.