Orthopaedic MD

Web site of a support group for this joint condition

Authors - George El Rassi, MD Saint George University Hospital- Achrafieh-lebanon
J. Richard Bowen, MD Alfred I. duPont Hospital for Children Wilmington, DE 19803-3607
The goals of this chapter are to describe the etiology, diagnosis and treatment of bipartite patella. Bipartite patella results from failure of fusion of an accessory ossification center which typically appears on radiographs between 8 and 12 years of age. Diagnosis is usually made by routine radiographic examination. The majority of individuals with bipartite patella are asymptomatic and often need no treatment. The initial treatment of a symptomatic patient is non-operative treatment. Surgical intervention is indicated after failure of non-operative treatment. Outline - I. Introduction II. Historical Perspective III. Anatomic and Physciologic Considerations V. Diagnosis and Recognition History and physical examination Imaging VI. Treatment Nonoperative Operative VII. Summary X. References

* 5% of meniscal injuries involve patients <15 years of age
* Both menisci are equally vulnerable to injury
* Slightly higher incidence of lateral meniscal tears in youths because of high numbers of discoid menisci in the earlier studies
* Usually associated with high energy activities such as football, soccer, and basketball

Authors - George El Rassi, MD Saint George University Hospital- Achrafieh-lebanon Lebanon
J. Richard Bowen, MD Alfred I. duPont Hospital for Children Wilmington, DE 19803-3607
The purposes of this chapter are to describe the etiology, classification, clinical manifestation, diagnosis and treatment of juvenile osteochondrtis dissecans of the knee.

Knee Flexion Contractures: Soft Tissue Correction With Monolateral External Fixation from Journal of the Southern Orthopedic Association James F. Mooney III, MD, L. Andrew Koman, MD, Winston-Salem, NC Abstract We assessed the efficacy of progressive soft tissue distraction using monolateral external fixation in the management of severe knee flexion contractures. We prospectively evaluated 10 knee deformities in seven pediatric patients. After gradual distraction using the modified Orthofix Limb Reconstruction System (LRS), most recent functional status and knee range of motion were determined. This treatment was applied to 10 extremities in seven patients, ranging in age from 2 to 16 years. Diagnoses included arthrogryposis (4), sickle cell disease (1), previous sepsis (1), and congenital pterygium (1). Average preoperative flexion contracture was 80.5°. Each patient achieved full extension. There was one recurrence, despite bracing, which was managed with replacement of the fixator and soft tissue procedures. Management of knee flexion contractures using a monolateral fixator appears to be a viable alternative to extensive release or femoral osteotomy. Long-term follow-up will be essential to assess the overall risk of recurrence and complications. J South Orthop Assoc 10(1):32-36, 2001 (Full text)

Congenital Knee Dislocation

Patellar Dislocations, The Alfred I. duPont Institute

Archive Copy 2003: Systematic Description of the syndrome. From Pediatric Database 1994

Osgood-Schlatter's Disease