Jove
Visualize
Contact Us
JoVE
x logofacebook logolinkedin logoyoutube logo
ABOUT JoVE
OverviewLeadershipBlogJoVE Help Center
AUTHORS
Publishing ProcessEditorial BoardScope & PoliciesPeer ReviewFAQSubmit
LIBRARIANS
TestimonialsSubscriptionsAccessResourcesLibrary Advisory BoardFAQ
RESEARCH
JoVE JournalMethods CollectionsJoVE Encyclopedia of ExperimentsArchive
EDUCATION
JoVE CoreJoVE BusinessJoVE Science EducationJoVE Lab ManualFaculty Resource CenterFaculty Site
Terms & Conditions of Use
Privacy Policy
Policies

Related Experiment Videos

The "fabella syndrome": an update.

D S Weiner, I Macnab

    Journal of Pediatric Orthopedics
    |October 1, 1982
    PubMed
    Summary
    This summary is machine-generated.

    Posterolateral knee pain in adolescents, often linked to the fabella, can be treated conservatively or with surgery. Surgical removal of the fabella or associated tissues provides immediate symptom relief for persistent cases.

    Related Concept Videos

    You might also read

    Related Articles

    Articles linked to this work by shared authors, journal, and citation graph.

    Sort by
    Same author

    Orthopaedic manifestations of pseudoachondroplasia.

    Journal of children's orthopaedics·2019
    Same author

    Meningococcal arthritis in children.

    Orthopedics·2014
    Same author

    The management of 'developmental femoral anteversion': sham or science?

    Orthopedics·2014
    Same author

    Expanded spectrum of organisms causing osteomyelitis after puncture wounds of the foot.

    Orthopedics·2014
    Same author

    Neonatal fracture-separation of the distal humeral chondroepiphysis: a case report.

    Orthopedics·2014
    Same author

    Osteomyelitis of the clavicle in children.

    Orthopedics·2014

    Area of Science:

    • Orthopedics
    • Sports Medicine
    • Adolescent Health

    Background:

    • Posterior lateral knee pain is a common complaint in adolescents.
    • The fabella, a sesamoid bone within the gastrocnemius tendon, is a potential source of knee pain.
    • Symptoms are often exacerbated by knee extension and direct pressure on the fabella.

    Purpose of the Study:

    • To describe a specific syndrome of posterolateral knee pain in adolescents.
    • To identify the clinical features and age group most affected by this condition.
    • To evaluate the effectiveness of conservative and surgical management options.

    Main Methods:

    • Retrospective case series of sixteen adolescent patients (15-17 years old) presenting with posterolateral knee pain.
    • Clinical examination focused on localized tenderness over the fabella and pain with knee extension.

    Related Experiment Videos

  • Treatment outcomes were assessed for both conservative management and surgical intervention.

    • Main Results:

    • All sixteen patients experienced intermittent posterolateral knee pain, aggravated by extension.
    • Five patients improved with conservative treatment.
    • Eleven patients underwent surgery, with immediate symptom relief following the removal of the fabella (ossified or cartilaginous) or thickened gastrocnemius fibers.

    Conclusions:

    • A distinct syndrome of posterolateral knee pain related to the fabella region affects late adolescents.
    • Surgical intervention, specifically the removal of the fabella or associated structures, is highly effective for persistent symptoms.
    • This condition appears unique to the 15-17 year age group, suggesting specific developmental or biomechanical factors.