Keywords:
Musculoskeletal bone, Paediatric, Musculoskeletal joint, Plain radiographic studies, Audit and standards, Education, Developmental disease, Education and training, Metabolic disorders
Authors:
J. Sarkodieh1, A. Gobindpuri2; 1London/UK, 2London /UK
DOI:
10.1594/essr2016/P-0052
Purpose
The patella is the largest sesamoid bone in the body.
It is also the attachment and insertion for the extensor tendons of the knee and therefore provides an important functional role.
In children,
the age of ossification of many of the bones throughout the skeletal system has been well defined.
The patella ossification age is currently believed to be between 3-6 years (1,2) however,
to the authors' knowledge,
there are no robust studies in the literature to support this assertion.
A number of disorders are characterised by absent or hypoplastic patellae.
Therefore there is a need to better define the expected age of patella ossification.
This will enable the reporting radiologist to identify an unexpected case in their reporting piles and will facilitate more accurate prediction in patients suspected of having a disorder that involves absent patellae or delayed patella ossification.