patella

Epidemiology

Usually occurs in young people

- often previous history of tendonitis ± steroid injections

Location

Usually at level of inferior pole of patella

- less common at tibial tubercle

- mid-substance ruptures rare

Clinical

Severe pain

Palpable defect

Extensor deficit / unable to SLR

Xray

Patella alta / high riding patella

Definition

Softening and fibrillation of articular cartilage of patella

Problem

- softening and fibrillation often seen in asymptomatic population

- can have typical anterior knee pain without retro-patellar changes

Epidemiology

Female adolescent

- recent increase in activity