In around 1% - 2% of the population the patella develops as two unfused ossification centers which lead to the condition known as bipartite patella.
This anomaly affects the outer quadrants of the patella, and gives the appearance on radiograph of a patella made up of two parts.
The condition is normally asymptomatic, incidental finding and should not be mistaken for a fracture.
Stress fracture superimposed on bipartite patella may cause difficulty in recognizing the clinical entity (1).
Initially the patients can be managed with conservative therapy - modified activity and local flexibility and strengthening exercises (3). Patients with severe pain should be referred to an orthopaedic surgeon (2). Fragment excision relieves pain.
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