Nonunion of the patella as a late chance observation after reconstructive surgery of the anterior cruciate ligament.

The use of autologous bone-tendon-bone grafts for reconstructive surgery of the anterior cruciate tendon is a widely diffused technique. Fracture of the donor patella constitutes an uncommon complication. It is the purpose of this study to present the clinical case of a patient submitted to reconstructive surgery of the anterior cruciate ligament where the existence of asymptomatic nonunion of the patella was by chance observed.