Anatomical and clinical significance of the Cyrano long-nosed patella in combination with patellofemoral instability: a case report and review of literature

Abstract Background The combination of a long-nosed patella and patella alta can lead to symptoms such as anterior knee pain and patellofemoral instability. Purpose Our objective was to address this uncommon, multifactorial cause of patellar pain and instability by a single-stage combined surgical a...

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Main Authors: Kunpeng Yang, Andreas Prescher, Frank Hildebrand, Christian David Weber
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: BMC 2025-04-01
Series:Journal of Medical Case Reports
Subjects:
Online Access:https://doi.org/10.1186/s13256-025-05235-w
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author Kunpeng Yang
Andreas Prescher
Frank Hildebrand
Christian David Weber
author_facet Kunpeng Yang
Andreas Prescher
Frank Hildebrand
Christian David Weber
author_sort Kunpeng Yang
collection DOAJ
description Abstract Background The combination of a long-nosed patella and patella alta can lead to symptoms such as anterior knee pain and patellofemoral instability. Purpose Our objective was to address this uncommon, multifactorial cause of patellar pain and instability by a single-stage combined surgical approach. Case presentation A 14-year-old German female presented to our hospital for recurrent patellar dislocations and exacerbated infrapatellar pain during kneeling. Following physical examination and imaging, the patient was diagnosed with patellar instability combined with the rare “Cyrano”-type patella. The patient underwent a single-stage procedure that included knee arthroscopic exploration, inferior pole osteotomy of the patella, tibial tuberosity osteotomy, and dynamic medial patellofemoral ligament reconstruction. Following the surgical procedure, the symptoms of knee pain and instability were entirely alleviated, accompanied by notable enhancements in the Knee Injury and Osteoarthritis Outcome Score , Kujala Score, and Lysholm Score. Notably, no recurrence was observed throughout the 2-year follow-up period. Conclusion The entity of a symptomatic Cyrano patella may be combined with patellofemoral instability. Osteotomy and surgical excision of the long-nosed aspect of the inferior pole, coupled with the realignment of the patellofemoral joint in both coronal and sagittal planes, alleviated pain and enhanced knee joint stability, ultimately contributing to the resolution of this uncommon condition. A sagittal plane deformity of the patellar shape may significantly affect the measurement of the patella height, as the Insall–Salvati index may not correctly determine the height of a patella owing to the elongated nose. Level of evidence IV.
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spelling doaj-art-8bd3059a758c47fd8cac5be024120fc42025-08-20T03:14:09ZengBMCJournal of Medical Case Reports1752-19472025-04-0119111110.1186/s13256-025-05235-wAnatomical and clinical significance of the Cyrano long-nosed patella in combination with patellofemoral instability: a case report and review of literatureKunpeng Yang0Andreas Prescher1Frank Hildebrand2Christian David Weber3Department of Orthopaedic, Trauma, and Reconstructive Surgery, RWTH University HospitalDepartment of Anatomy, RWTH University HospitalDepartment of Orthopaedic, Trauma, and Reconstructive Surgery, RWTH University HospitalDepartment of Orthopaedic, Trauma, and Reconstructive Surgery, RWTH University HospitalAbstract Background The combination of a long-nosed patella and patella alta can lead to symptoms such as anterior knee pain and patellofemoral instability. Purpose Our objective was to address this uncommon, multifactorial cause of patellar pain and instability by a single-stage combined surgical approach. Case presentation A 14-year-old German female presented to our hospital for recurrent patellar dislocations and exacerbated infrapatellar pain during kneeling. Following physical examination and imaging, the patient was diagnosed with patellar instability combined with the rare “Cyrano”-type patella. The patient underwent a single-stage procedure that included knee arthroscopic exploration, inferior pole osteotomy of the patella, tibial tuberosity osteotomy, and dynamic medial patellofemoral ligament reconstruction. Following the surgical procedure, the symptoms of knee pain and instability were entirely alleviated, accompanied by notable enhancements in the Knee Injury and Osteoarthritis Outcome Score , Kujala Score, and Lysholm Score. Notably, no recurrence was observed throughout the 2-year follow-up period. Conclusion The entity of a symptomatic Cyrano patella may be combined with patellofemoral instability. Osteotomy and surgical excision of the long-nosed aspect of the inferior pole, coupled with the realignment of the patellofemoral joint in both coronal and sagittal planes, alleviated pain and enhanced knee joint stability, ultimately contributing to the resolution of this uncommon condition. A sagittal plane deformity of the patellar shape may significantly affect the measurement of the patella height, as the Insall–Salvati index may not correctly determine the height of a patella owing to the elongated nose. Level of evidence IV.https://doi.org/10.1186/s13256-025-05235-wLong-nosed/Cyrano patellaPatella altaPatella instabilityOsgood–Schlatter diseaseTTODynamic MPFL reconstruction
spellingShingle Kunpeng Yang
Andreas Prescher
Frank Hildebrand
Christian David Weber
Anatomical and clinical significance of the Cyrano long-nosed patella in combination with patellofemoral instability: a case report and review of literature
Journal of Medical Case Reports
Long-nosed/Cyrano patella
Patella alta
Patella instability
Osgood–Schlatter disease
TTO
Dynamic MPFL reconstruction
title Anatomical and clinical significance of the Cyrano long-nosed patella in combination with patellofemoral instability: a case report and review of literature
title_full Anatomical and clinical significance of the Cyrano long-nosed patella in combination with patellofemoral instability: a case report and review of literature
title_fullStr Anatomical and clinical significance of the Cyrano long-nosed patella in combination with patellofemoral instability: a case report and review of literature
title_full_unstemmed Anatomical and clinical significance of the Cyrano long-nosed patella in combination with patellofemoral instability: a case report and review of literature
title_short Anatomical and clinical significance of the Cyrano long-nosed patella in combination with patellofemoral instability: a case report and review of literature
title_sort anatomical and clinical significance of the cyrano long nosed patella in combination with patellofemoral instability a case report and review of literature
topic Long-nosed/Cyrano patella
Patella alta
Patella instability
Osgood–Schlatter disease
TTO
Dynamic MPFL reconstruction
url https://doi.org/10.1186/s13256-025-05235-w
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