Acute presentation of Sinding-Larsen-Johansson disease simulating patella sleeve fracture: A case report

OBJECTIVES: Diagnosis of Sinding-Larsen-Johansson disease may not be an easy task. Several sport-related conditions affect the distal pole of the patella in the adolescent, and treatment varies considerably. The article describes a patient that had radiographic features of Sinding-Larsen-Johansson disease associated with an atypical acute presentation. METHODS: Case report and literature review. RESULTS: A 10-year-old boy presented with a sudden pain after a noncontact soccer injury. He had tenderness and swelling over the patella. Radiographs showed minimally displaced distal patellar ossicle. Magnetic resonance imaging excluded sleeve cartilaginous injury and documented Sinding-Larsen-Johansson disease. The knee was immobilized briefly. There was complete healing of the injury in 4-week follow-up radiographs. CONCLUSION: Emergency physicians, radiologists, and orthopedic surgeons should be aware of the acute presentation of Sinding-Larsen-Johansson disease after knee injuries.