Dorsal defect of the patella with cartilaginous involvement. A case report.

This is a report of a symptomatic cartilaginous defect associated with the dorsal patellar defect. Previously regarded as only an osseous curiosity, this defect can be associated with symptoms of pain after long periods of standing and exercise. Treatment by curettage of the area with debridement of the overlying fibrillated cartliage relieved the pain and produced radiographic evidence of healing of the osseous defect.