Patellar tendon lengthening for patella infera using the Ilizarov technique

Area of Science:

• Orthopedic surgery
• Biomedical engineering
• Knee biomechanics

Background:

• Patella infera, or low-lying kneecap, is a potential complication following patellar fracture surgery.
• This condition can lead to chronic knee pain and the development of patellofemoral osteoarthritis.
• Current treatment options for severe patella infera are often limited and yield unsatisfactory outcomes.

Observation:

• A case of severe patella infera developed after operative treatment for a patellar fracture.
• The patient presented with significant knee pain and functional limitation due to the low-lying patella.
• Conventional treatments were considered insufficient for this severe presentation.

Findings:

• Ilizarov external fixation was employed to manage the severe patella infera.
• A technique of gradual lengthening of the patellar tendon was performed using the external fixator.
• Successful restoration of normal patellar height was achieved post-treatment.

Implications:

• This case demonstrates the efficacy of Ilizarov external fixation and gradual patellar tendon lengthening for severe patella infera.
• The technique offers a potential solution for previously unsatisfactory treatment scenarios.
• Restoring patellar height may alleviate knee pain and potentially mitigate the progression of patellofemoral osteoarthritis.