Incidence and Epidemiology of Patellar Fractures.

MONTH/MONTH 201x | Volume xx • Number x Patellar fractures are relatively rare, with the literature reporting their prevalence at 0.7% to 1% of all fractures.1-3 The incidence of patellar fractures has only been reported in a small number of studies.1,4,5 A 1-year study of a defined adult population in Scotland in 2010-2011 reported an overall incidence of 9.5/100,000/year.1 Average age was 65 years, and 55% of all fractures occurred in patients aged 65 years or older. The male/ female sex ratio was 41/59. The literature lacks large-scale, upto-date, population-based epidemiology studies including both children and adults over periods of several years. Most studies have concentrated solely on adult epidemiology.1,5 Unfortunately, previous epidemiological studies on patellar fractures have lacked information about fracture classification and the mode of injury. To the current authors’ knowledge, the changing incidence, mode of injury, and fracture type has not been previously studied in a defined population of patellar fractures. A study from Malmo, Sweden, showed a changing incidence of patellar fractures between 1950 to 1955 and 1980 to 1983,6 and other studies have shown that the incidence of other lower limb fractures has changed over time.5,7-9 The purpose of the current study was to provide up-to-date information concerning the incidence of patellar fractures in a large and complete population spanning Incidence and Epidemiology of Patellar Fractures