PATELLA FRACTURES, EPIDEMIOLOGY, ANATOMY, FUNCTION, MECHANISMS OF ACTION, CLASSIFICATION, CLINICAL PRESENTATION, IMAGING PRESENTATION, TREATMENT AND COMPLICATIONS

Introduction: The patella has a great importance in the extension and flexion activities of knee, being paramount patient's quality life. Nowadays surgical options that stand out most are open reduction plus internal fixation resection patella. increases leverage quadriceps. Management following injury been based on preservation bone vascular supply, addition to joint restoration extensor function. In fractures, it is essential reflect biomechanics technique be used. Objective: detail current information related epidemiology, anatomy, function, mechanisms action, classification, clinical presentation, imaging treatment complications. Methodology: total 32 articles were analyzed this review, including review original articles, as well cases, which 24 bibliographies used because other not relevant for study. sources PubMed, Google Scholar Cochrane; terms search Spanish, Portuguese English were: patella, patellar knee trauma. Results: Patellar fractures comprise 1% all humans, with 2:1 male female ratio. They occur more frequently individuals between 20 50 years age. frequencies pseudarthrosis infection relatively lower after procedure. Approximately 2 7% fractures. Their classification descriptive. Conclusions: largest sesamoid human body several important functions. Frequently, appear falls blows unexpected energetic muscular pulls. diagnosis made by means history, physical examination complementary radiography. Anteroposterior lateral projections should performed. For conservative mechanism intact. There methods treatment, general present good results. Complications include post-traumatic osteoarthritis, alteration or loss mobility refracture, failure, osteonecrosis, intolerance osteosynthesis material, strength mechanism, extension, instability pseudoarthrosis. KEY WORDS: fracture, osteosynthesis.