Open Patellar Fracture in a 2-Year-Old Child: A Rare Case Report ()
1. Introduction
In our clinical practice, we rarely come across patella fracture in children. Being the largest sesamoid bone in the body [1] , patellar fractures occur approximately at a rate of less than 1% of total paediatric fractures [2] - [4] .
Patellar fractures can be caused by direct trauma, excessive contraction of the extensor mechanism, or by both. In children flexible stabilizing soft tissue structures around patella decrease the mechanical stress peaks in case of traumas. Furthermore, the thick cartilage layer is acting as a buffer in case of direct impact [4] . Open transverse fracture of patella as in our case is very rarely seen. We present that case because of being rarely seen and not found reported in the literature.
2. Case Report
Our case is a two years old girl who was brought to our hospital by parents with the history of accidental injury with a sickle falling directly on her right knee from about 7 to 8 feet height, one hour before presenting to us in the casualty.
On examination there was a transverse incised wound on the anterior aspect of the right knee which measuring about 8 cm. Patella was split transversely into almost two equal halves with a separation of about 1 cm [Figure 1(a) and Figure 1(b)]. So diagnosis of fracture was made in the casualty itself.
Radiograph taken did not reveal any sign of ossification. Patella was not seen on the X-ray. Surgery was performed immediately after admission. Under general anaesthesia wound was thoroughly cleaned; after reduction of the fragments, patella was fixed by transcartilagenous simple end to end sutures with vicryl1o [Figure 2]. Skin closed with Ethilon 3-0. Postoperatively, the knee was kept in an extension cast and child was discharged on 3rd post operative day after wound dressing. Suture removal done on 10th post op day and pop removed after three weeks. After removal of the pop cast, physiotherapy was started which includes range of motion and quadriceps strengthening exercises. Five weeks after trauma, the patient could walk normally and it was pain free. She was able to perform a full range of motion with excellent quadriceps function by eight weeks [Figures 3(a)-(c)].
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(a) (b)
Figure 1.(a) Incised wound on the anterior aspect of the knee which measuring about 8 cm; (b) Patella was split transversely into almost two equal halves.
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Figure 2. Patella after fixation with vicryl.
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(a) (b) (c)
Figure 3. ROM after 6 weeks.
3. Discussion
Fractures of the patella are rare injuries in children because of some anatomic and biomechanical conditions [3] [4] . Ligaments, tendons, capsule, cartilage and other soft tissues are more flexible in children so joint laxity increases. Furthermore, the thick cartilage layer is acting as a buffer in case of direct impact and it also protect the patella [4] [5] .
Most of patellar fractures in children are sleeve fractures and occur because of indirect traumas, Grogan et al. [6] sub classified avulsion fractures as superior (most rarely seen), inferior, medial and lateral [2] [6] [7] . Sleeve fractures [8] [9] are 57% of all patellar fractures in children and mostly located at the distal pole. It is usually between 8 - 12 years of age.
Transverse fracture of the patella is rarer than avulsion fractures. It is a result of compression of patella against the distal femur because of direct blows [4] . 3 mm separation between the bone fragments defined as of a displaced fracture [1] . In our case, the fragments were grossly displaced.
When it comes to treatment options for patella fractures, we have options like Open reduction and the reduction held with either Tension Band Wire (TBW), modified tension band wire or a circumferential cable for comminuted fractures. Osteosynthesis with lag screws has also been described. For sleeve fractures and other avulsion fractures in which one of the fragments is too small, transosseous sutures may be used [4] [10] [11] . In our case, none of the above options were possible because of non ossified patella. So we opted for transcartilagenous sutures.
There is no such case reported in the literature.