title: Osteochondrosis of the primary ossification center of the patella (Köhler's disease of the patella) report of three cases.
abstract: Radiography of three boys 5-6 years old with anterior knee pain revealed increased density and irregularity of the patellar ossification centers. A search of the literature suggested that it was osteochondrosis of the primary ossification center of the patella, named after Köhler. Continuing search also revealed that it might be a normal variant instead of an osteochondrosis. A short course of activity modification led to marked improvement in all. The patients were either asymptomatic or experienced minor symptoms 18-34 months after presentation. It was concluded that the process, either physiological or pathological, has a benign course and favorable prognosis.
authors.affiliation: Dokuz Eylül University, School of Medicine, Department of Orthopedics and Traumatology, Inciralti, Izmir, Turkey. halit.pinar@deu.edu.tr
authors.forename: Halit
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Pinar
authors.forename: Onder
authors.initials: O
authors.lastname: Gül
authors.forename: Hakan
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Boya
authors.forename: Cem
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Ozcan
authors.forename: Ozal
authors.initials: O
authors.lastname: Ozcan
mesh_terms: D002648:Child; D002675:Child, Preschool; D003937:Diagnosis, Differential; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D009999:Ossification, Heterotopic / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging*; D010007:Osteochondritis / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging* / Q000503:physiopathology / Q000628:therapy; D010012:Osteogenesis / Q000502:physiology; D010146:Pain / Q000503:physiopathology; D010329:Patella / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging* / Q000503:physiopathology; D011859:Radiography; D020127:Recovery of Function; D016896:Treatment Outcome