Trifocal Injury of the Patellar Tendon- An Exceedingly Rare Case Report

Distal pole of patella avulsion fracture with tibial tuberosity avulsion has been frequently reported as a bifocal patellar tendon injury. However, an osteochondral lateral patella facet fracture with a longitudinal split in the patella tendon in addition to these avulsion fractures has never been documented previously. Hence, we now report this trifocal patellar tendon injury.

An adolescent with a trifocal patella tendon injury underwent a fixation with a combination of transosseous pull- through sutures, suture tape, and knotless anchor. The patient was rehabilitated with gradual increase in 30° of knee flexion weekly and has now attained full knee range of motion.

Fixation of the small avulsion fracture can be challenging using conventional methods such as cannulated cancellous screws especially in an immature skeleton as it can crush the fragments. Suture tape, transosseous tunnels, and knotless suture anchors have more flexibility, they avoid the physis and provide adequate strength in such situations compared to metallic implants.