title: BIPARTITE PATELLA IN 35-YEAR-OLD FITNESS INSTRUCTOR: A CASE REPORT.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  The patella plays an important role in knee biomechanics and provides anterior coverage of the knee joint. One to two percent of the population has an anatomical variant of patella called a bipartite patella that usually does not case pain. However, occasionally after injury or overuse during sport it can be a source of anterior knee pain. The purpose of this case report was to present a rare variant of bipartite patella and highlight conservative treatment of this condition.
  
  
  METHODS
  Case Report.
  
  
  METHODS
  A 35-year-old female patient presented with persistent bilateral non-traumatic anterior knee pain of a six-year duration that was enhanced by strenuous kinds of sport activity. Standard radiographs and MRI revealed the presence of bipartite patella with medial pole cartilage edema bilaterally. Conservative care including physical therapy, extracorporeal shock wave therapy (ESWT), and viscosupplementation was utilized.
  
  
  RESULTS
  After treatment VAS decreased to 0/10 from 5/10 in the left knee and 1/10 from 5/10 in the right knee. The Kujala Scores improved after treatment to 100 and 95 for the left and right knees respectively. The subject returned to full sport activity and work as a fitness instructor without pain and limitations.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  This case describes a rare finding of bilateral medial bipartite patella and the successful use of physical therapy with viscosupplementation in patellar pain caused by bipartite patella. It also supports the use of Extra Corporeal Shock Wave Therapy in bipartite patella pain as a supplement for therapy.
  
  
  METHODS
  4.
authors.affiliation: Medical University of Lodz, Poland.
authors.forename: Sebastian
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Zabierek
authors.affiliation: Kopernik Memorial Teaching Hospital in Lodz, Poland.
authors.forename: Jakub
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Zabierek
authors.affiliation: Medical University of Lodz, Poland.
authors.forename: Adam
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Kwapisz
authors.affiliation: Medical University of Lodz, Poland.
authors.forename: Marcin E
authors.initials: ME
authors.lastname: Domzalski
keywords: Anterior knee pain; Magnetic resonance imaging; bipartite patella