Dichotomous patella refers to the fact that most children have only one ossification center in the patella, while 2-3 ossification centers exist in a small percentage, and after completion of ossification during adolescence, dichotomous or multi-dichotomous patella occurs if it is not fused with the main patella. The dichotomous patella is the main cause of anterior knee pain in adolescents and athletes.
When pain first occurs, conservative treatment can be given, including rest, activity restriction, quadriceps exercise and administration of nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs for relief; if conservative treatment is ineffective and persistent without relief, surgical treatment can be given, including parapatellar resection, internal fixation of the parapatella, and soft tissue release.