Arthroscopic Excision of a Huge Ununited Ossicle Due to Osgood-Schlatter Disease in an Adult Patient

INTRODUCTION: Surgical excision of the ununited ossicles has been suggested for unresolved sequelae of Osgood-Schlatter disease in adults resistant to conservative measures. We report a case where arthroscopy was used to excise the ossicles. A bird eye view from the superolateral portal was helpful in the arthroscopic procedure for excision of the deep low lesion. CASE SERIES: A 32-year-old, male driver had anterior knee pain during walking and sports activity that had been treated conservatively for 3 months. On physical examination, there was a prominent tibial tubercle, but without palpable pain. There was obvious pain when the knee was approaching full extension. On image, a huge ununited ossicle was seen behind the patellar tendon, intruding into the joint space, and there was another two small ununited ossicles beneath the bow-shaped patellar tendon. Arthroscopy was performed through a three portals technique, and a bird eye view was achieved from the superolateral portal. The ossicles were separated from the surrounding soft tissue with a motorized shaver. The small ununited ossicles were removed by use of a grasper. The huge ossicle was removed by use of a motorized bur, and the contouring of the irregular surface of the tibial tubercle was performed. After 3 months, the patient returned to sports activities without any restrictions. CONCLUSION: This report shows that a huge ossicle can cause impingement in anterior knee compartment, and it can be easily removed arthroscopically under assistance of an additional portal.