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Case Reports
. 2021 Dec 7;13(12):e20232.
doi: 10.7759/cureus.20232. eCollection 2021 Dec.

Why Mechanism Matters: A Literature Review of Simultaneous Ipsilateral Tibial Tuberosity Avulsion and Patella Fracture With Case Report

Joseph Muscat  1 , Aroon Baskaradas  2 , Govind Dhillon  1 , Vashist Motkur  1 , Raj Thakrar  1
Affiliations
Case Reports

Why Mechanism Matters: A Literature Review of Simultaneous Ipsilateral Tibial Tuberosity Avulsion and Patella Fracture With Case Report

Joseph Muscat et al. Cureus. .

Abstract

Simultaneous ipsilateral tibial tuberosity avulsion and patella fractures are rare in adults. They are often associated with patients who have underlying bone disease and other medical co-morbidities. Here we describe a case where this injury was attributed to direct trauma and demonstrate our department's management for such an injury. In addition to our case report, we have performed a systematic literature review to identify other cases of the same injury. Only four other cases have been reported. Here we summarise and compare the management and outcome measures reported in each case. All patients are managed differently, yet all authors report satisfactory outcomes. With this being a relatively rare injury, further research is required to establish a gold standard for management of such patients.

Keywords: bifocal; ipsilateral; patella; tibial tuberosity avulsion; unilateral and extensor mechanism disruption.

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Conflict of interest statement

The authors have declared that no competing interests exist.

Figures

Figure 1
Figure 1. Picture illustrating the mechanism of injury.
The patient had tripped on a tree root (red arrow) and directly impacted her patella and proximal tibia on two rocks (blue arrows).
Figure 2
Figure 2. Pre-operative anterior-posterior (A) and lateral (B) radiographs taken in the emergency department.
Figure 3
Figure 3. Axial (A,B), sagittal (C) and coronal (D) images of pre-operative CT scan of the left knee.
Figure 4
Figure 4. Lateral (A,B) and anterior-posterior (C) radiographs taken intra-operatively.
Figure 5
Figure 5. Lateral (A) and anterior-posterior (B) radiographs taken six weeks post-operation.
Figure 6
Figure 6. Prisma flowchart showing cases reviewed and included for analysis.
See this image and copyright information in PMC

References

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