A successful technique to repair an osteochondral patellar fracture composed of largely primary articular cartilage

Abstract

A 15-year-old girl presented with knee pain, inability to extend and weight bear after a twisting injury to the knee leading to dislocation and spontaneous reduction of the patella. An osteochondral defect was identified over the medial facet of patella with a loose osteochondral fragment with very little bone attached to the large cartilaginous part. This unusual fracture was fixed using four biocomposite suture anchors and a bioabsorbable pin. Three months after the surgery, she was mobilising fully, weight bearing and had a full range of motion with satisfactory outcome. MRI six months postop suggested complete healing of the fragment. Usually such fractures occur due to an impaction injury of the medial patellar facet over the lateral femoral condyle during the relocation phase of an injury. In this case, the patella was dislocated and then reduced spontaneously. There are very few case reports in the literature with successful repair of this type of patellar fracture and a good patient outcome.