J Korean Soc Traumatol.  2013 Sep;26(3):218-221.

Sleeve Fracture of the Superior Pole of Patella in an Adolescent

• Yoo MJ
• Yoo JS
• Ryu JW

Abstract

A patella sleeve fracture is a type of avulsion fracture in which a small osseous fragment gets, along with a sleeve of periosteum and cartilage, is pulled off from the patella. The avulsed sleeve of cartilage and periosteum is not apparent on plain radiographs, which can result in a missed diagnosis or an underestimate of the extent of injury. An avulsion or sleeve fracture of the patella in a child can occur at the superior or the inferior pole of the patella. However, most reported cases of sleeve fractures involve the inferior patellar pole, with fractures involving the superior patellar pole being very rare. The authors report a case of a sleeve fracture of the superior pole of the patella in an adolescent; the fracture was diagnosed with magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) and was treated with surgery after early diagnosis. The course was uneventful, and the outcome was excellent.

Keyword

Patella; Superior pole of patella; Sleeve fracture; Avulsion fracture

MeSH Terms

Adolescent*
Cartilage
Child
Early Diagnosis
Humans
Magnetic Resonance Imaging
Patella*
Periosteum