Bipartite patella in the adolescent: results of surgical excision.

We evaluated the results of excision of the fragment in 16 patients with symptomatic bipartite patellae. In nine, the pain began following trauma; in seven, the onset was insidious. The pain was aggravated by activity in all patients. The average age at surgery was 14 years, 6 months, and the average postoperative follow-up was 7 years. Fifteen of the patients were markedly improved; one was not.