Pattern, management and outcome of patella and patella related injuries in Abuja, Nigeria

Abstract

Background: Patella related injuries are most commonly seen in young adults and individuals with congenital anomalies of the patella and knee joint. The major causes of patella injuries in this study were spontaneous dislocation, road traffic accidents and strenuous exercises. The injuries in this series are patella dislocation, patella fracture and quadriceps tendon ruptures. These pathologies lead to loss of integrity of the extensor mechanism of the knee, and If not managed promptly and appropriately, it may lead to increased morbidity such as
recurrent patella dislocation, knee joint stiffness and patella-femoral osteoarthritis.

Patients and methods: This is a prospective study carried out in State House Medical Centre, Abuja over a period of ten years from July 2006 to June 2016. All cases of patella injury and adjacent structures were included in this study. The patients in the study were confirmed clinically and radiological to have a patella injury. The radiological investigations used in the study were radiographs, Computerised Tomography scan (CT scan) and Magnetic Resonant Imaging (MRI).

Results: A total of forty-eight patients presented over a period of ten years with patella and patella related injuries. The age range in this study was from 11- 50 years. Majority of the patients in the study were in the 21-30 years age group. Patella dislocation was seen in 24 (50.0%) making it the most common injury encountered. Patella fracture accounted for 31% of the cases and quadriceps tendon rupture accounted for 18%. Most injuries to the patella were managed non-operatively.

Conclusion: Young adults are more prone to patella and patella related injuries, the most common injury is patella dislocation and most cases were managed non-operatively with minimal complications.

Keywords: Patella, Patella injuries, Patella related injuries