Avascular Necrosis of Patella - A Rare Case Report

Avascular necrosis (AVN) of patella is a very rare condition and occurs in very few case. Although underlying etiology is still unknown, some expert suggest that its due to interruption of blood supply to patella which may be due to high velocity trauma or may be due to long term history of steroid intake. Here are the findings of our case AVN patella and reviews of earlier literature.

We present a case of a AVN patella in a 31-year-old male. The patient presented with pain in knee with stiffness and tenderness at knee followed by decrease range of movement of knee. Magnetic resonance imaging showed irregular cortical outline of patella with degenerative osteophytes-suggestive of osteonecrosis of patella. It was treated conservatively with physiotherapy for range of movement of knee.

ORIF with extensive exploration and infection may compromise that the vascularity of patella may lead to AVN of patella. As the disease is non-progressive, it is better to manage such patients conservatively with range of movement brace so as to decrease the chance of complication associated with surgical intervention.