The patella is a rare site for acute osteomyelitis. Most cases are children between 5-15 years of age. The process of patellar ossification might explain this age predilection. The patella is a cartilaginous structure until 4 years of age. The ossification begins at 4 years of age and is complete by 16 years. The rarity of the patellar infection may be explained by the nature of its blood supply and anatomy. The rich blood supply, and absence of epiphyseal plate with its associated sluggish hemodynamics, makes hematogenous osteomyelitis of patella a rarity. Staphylococcus aureus remains the most common cause of osteomyelitis followed by Streptococcus pyogenes, Other rare causes of acute osteomyelitis of patella include Pseudomonas aeruginosa. Related article-- Int Pediatr. 2001;16(4):232-234.
Case by Dr MGK Murthy (Teleradiology Providers), Dr Nageswar Goud and Dr David Kiran
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