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Arthroscopic excision of the fabella
Z Dannawi1, V Khanduja, K K Vemulapalli
1Newham University Hospital, London, United Kingdom.
The Journal of Knee Surgery
|November 13, 2007
Summary
The fabella, a small bone in the knee, can cause posterolateral knee pain. Arthroscopic fabella excision is a viable surgical option for pain relief, as demonstrated in two patient cases.
Area of Science:
- Orthopedic Surgery
- Anatomy
- Radiology
Background:
- The fabella is a sesamoid bone within the gastrocnemius muscle, occurring in 10-30% of individuals, often bilaterally.
- Fabellar presence can cause posterolateral knee pain due to chondromalacia or osteoarthritis.
- Understanding fabellar anatomy and pathology is crucial for diagnosing knee pain.
Observation:
- Two patients presented with posterolateral knee pain attributed to the fabella.
- Both patients underwent arthroscopic excision of the fabella.
- The surgical technique and subsequent clinical outcomes were documented.
Findings:
- Arthroscopic fabella excision was successfully performed in both cases.
- The procedure addressed the source of posterolateral knee pain.
- Post-operative outcomes related to pain and function were evaluated.
Implications:
- Arthroscopic fabella excision offers a potential treatment for symptomatic fabellae.
- This case report highlights the technique and efficacy of surgical intervention.
- Further research could explore long-term outcomes and patient selection criteria.
