Related Experiment Video
Updated: Jul 5, 2026
A Rat Tibial Growth Plate Injury Model to Characterize Repair Mechanisms and Evaluate Growth Plate Regeneration Strategies
Published on: July 4, 2017
Sleeve fracture of the patella in children
1Department of Orthopaedic Surgery, KK Women's and Children's Hospital, Singapore.
Purpose:
To report the diagnosis, treatment, and outcomes of sleeve patellar fractures in children.
Methods:
Records of a consecutive series of patients with sleeve patellar fractures were retrospectively reviewed.
Results:
Of the 11 children (8 boys and 3 girls; mean age, 12 years), 6 had minimally displaced fractures (1-2 mm) and were managed by cylindrical plaster of Paris immobilisation, whereas the other 5 with severely displaced fractures underwent open reduction with tension band wiring. The mean follow-up period was 10 (range, 3-36) months. All patients obtained full extension of the knee except one (with an extension lag of 10 degrees). No patient complained of pain or discomfort of the involved knee.
Conclusion:
Sleeve patellar fractures in children are uncommon. Diagnosis can be missed, especially in those with a very small avulsed bony fragment. For undisplaced fracture, conservative management can achieve good results. For severely displaced fractures, early surgical intervention is effective.
Related Concept Videos
01:16Bones of the Lower Limb: Femur and Patella
01:27Fractures: Bone Repair
Minor fractures with no bone displacement are treated by immobilizing the fractured bone using a cast or splint. However, in the case of fractures with displaced bones, the broken bones are repositioned before immobilization to ensure successful healing without deformation and loss of function. The realignment of fractured bone ends is performed through a process called reduction. If the procedure...
01:23Knee Joint
A total of seven ligaments support the knee joint. The patellar ligament, which is also attached to the quadriceps femoris group...
01:09Changes in the Appendicular Skeleton with Age
Initially, the limb buds consist of a core of mesenchyme covered by a layer of ectoderm. The ectoderm at the end of the limb bud thickens to form a narrow crest called the apical ectodermal ridge. This ridge stimulates the underlying...