Patella may develop from one or multiple ossification centres at 3 years
Failure of centres to fuse may produce bipartite or tripartite patella
- usually bilateral and painless
Classically superolateral
I Inferior Pole 5%
II Lateral 20%
3 Sesamoids may be present in great toe
- 2 almost always present on plantar aspect of MTPJ
- 1 may be present on plantar aspect of IPJ
MTPJ sesamoids most important
- embedded in FHB tendons
- held together by intersesamoid ligament & plantar plate
- each side of crista / inter-sesamoid ridge
- articulate with plantar facets of 1st MT
Tibial usually larger than fibula