Abstract
Two cases of sleeve fracture of the patella are reported. One occurred in the upper part of the patella, although this type of fracture usually affects the lower patella. The clinical features and mechanism of this fracture are reviewed in our patient and seventeen other cases reported in the literature. Treatment should be initiated immediately, with open reduction being performed to reduce the fragments accurately, because a large fragment of articular cartilage is also separated with the bone. Additionally, tight immobilization of such fractures, in adolescence, may induce aseptic necrosis of the patella.
We therefore recommend the accurate reduction of the articular cartilage fragment and tension band wiring to immobilize this type of fracture.
