J Korean Fract Soc.  2013 Jan;26(1):73-76. 10.12671/jkfs.2013.26.1.73.

Heterotopic Ossification around Patellar Tendon Following Treatment of Patellar Fracture: A Case Report

Affiliations
  • 1Department of Orthopaedic Surgery, Haeundae Paik Hospital, Inje University College of Medicine, Busan, Korea. sjinnie@paik.ac.kr

Abstract

Heterotopic ossification around the patellar tendon is known to be extremely rare. A 42-year-old man had a transverse fracture of the left patella. Open reduction and tension band wiring were performed. At four weeks, plain radiographs showed an extensive ossification around the patellar tendon and the patient presented limitation of flexion and pain in kneeling position. We just encouraged active and passive ranges of motion exercises and performed one manipulation under anesthesia. At the final follow-up (10 months post-operatively), he was able to flex his knee by 140 degrees. We present a case of heterotopic ossification around the patellar tendon with limitation of knee flexion that was successfully treated with nonoperative treatment.

Keyword

Patellar tendon; Patellar fracture; Heterotopic ossification

MeSH Terms

Anesthesia
Exercise
Follow-Up Studies
Humans
Knee
Ossification, Heterotopic
Patella
Patellar Ligament

Figure

  • Fig. 1 Plain radiograph of the left knee showing displaced transverse fracture through the mid-body of the patella.

  • Fig. 2 Postoperative radiograph showing extensive heterotopic ossification of the patellar tendon following tension band wiring.

  • Fig. 3 Bone single photon emission computed tomography (bone SPECT) showing hot uptake at the patellar tendon.

  • Fig. 4 Radiograph of the patient at final follow-up showing full flexion of the knee motion.


Reference

1. Brumback RJ, Wells JD, Lakatos R, Poka A, Bathon GH, Burgess AR. Heterotopic ossification about the hip after intramedullary nailing for fractures of the femur. J Bone Joint Surg Am. 1990. 72:1067–1073.
2. Cakici H, Hapa O, Ozturan K, Guven M, Yucel I. Patellar tendon ossification after partial patellectomy: a case report. J Med Case Rep. 2010. 4:47.
Article
3. Garland DE. A clinical perspective on common forms of acquired heterotopic ossification. Clin Orthop Relat Res. 1991. (263):13–29.
Article
4. Garland DE, Blum CE, Waters RL. Periarticular heterotopic ossification in head-injured adults Incidence and location. J Bone Joint Surg Am. 1980. 62:1143–1146.
Article
5. Grossfeld SL, Engebretsen L. Patellar tendinitis-a case report of elongation and ossification of the inferior pole of the patella. Scand J Med Sci Sports. 1995. 5:308–310.
Article
6. Kelly MA, Insall JN. Postpatellectomy extensive ossification of patellar tendon. A case report. Clin Orthop Relat Res. 1987. (215):148–152.
7. Matsumoto H, Kawakubo M, Otani T, Fujikawa K. Extensive post-traumatic ossification of the patellar tendon. A report of two cases. J Bone Joint Surg Br. 1999. 81:34–36.
8. Mollan RA. Serum alkaline phosphatase in heterotopic para-articular ossification after total hip replacement. J Bone Joint Surg Br. 1979. 61:432–434.
Article
9. Mundy GM, Oni OO. Patellar tendon ossification treated with simple subcapsular excision. J Knee Surg. 2003. 16:221–223.
10. Stover SL, Niemann KM, Tulloss JR. Experience with surgical resection of heterotopic bone in spinal cord injury patients. Clin Orthop Relat Res. 1991. (263):71–77.
Article
Full Text Links
  • JKFS
Actions
Cited
CITED
export Copy
Close
Share
  • Twitter
  • Facebook
Similar articles
Copyright © 2024 by Korean Association of Medical Journal Editors. All rights reserved.     E-mail: koreamed@kamje.or.kr