The inferior patellar pole is the distal non-articular portion of the patella from which the patellar tendon originates. It contacts Hoffa's infrapatellar fat pad during knee extension and is the region affected by Sinding-Larsen-Johansson disease in skeletally immature patients.
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| Landmarks |
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| Ossification | The inferior patellar pole ossification centre is the last to appear and is the site of traction apophysitis (Sinding-Larsen-Johansson) in athletes aged 10-14. |
The inferior patellar pole is the site of Sinding-Larsen-Johansson disease in adolescent athletes, where traction apophysitis produces point tenderness and radiographic irregularity at the inferior pole. This is analogous to Osgood-Schlatter disease at the tibial tuberosity. Inferior pole fractures occur from sudden quadriceps contraction and require open reduction and internal fixation with tension band wiring. Inferior pole resection is occasionally performed in refractory patellar tendinopathy surgery.
Traction apophysitis at the inferior pole in active adolescents.
In children, a cartilage sleeve with a small bone fragment can be pulled off the inferior pole, disrupting knee extension.
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