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

• Lee SJ
• Kim JW
• Lee DH
• Lim JY

• KMID: 1431722
• DOI: http://doi.org/10.12671/jkfs.2013.26.1.73

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

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

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

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

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

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