Background:
There are multiple causes of posterior knee pain and radicular symptoms. A symptomatic fabella is a rare cause but should be considered in the differential diagnosis.
Purpose:
Physicians should consider a symptomatic fabella as a diagnosis when common treatments for posterior knee pain have not alleviated the symptoms.
Study design:
Case report.
Methods:
Review of clinical documentations of an orthopedist, physiatrist, physical therapist, 2 primary care sports medicine physicians, and the surgical report of an orthopedist.
Results:
It took time and resources including several referrals and imaging modalities to make a final diagnosis.
Conclusion:
Symptomatic fabellae are an uncommon finding but should be considered in the differential diagnosis with an athlete with posterior knee pain.
Clinical relevance:
Considerable time and resources were used to ultimately diagnose and treat a NCAA Division 1 athlete. Surgical excision was required of a sesamoid bone that is present in 30% of individuals.