[The small patella syndrome. A combination of knee and pelvic dysplasia].

In 1979, using the name "small patella syndrome", Scott and Taor described a family in which hypoplasia or aplasia of the patella was inherited by autosomal dominant transmission. Hip dysplasias and pelvic changes accompanying the patellar changes have also been observed in some cases. On the basis of three personal observations this dysplasia syndrome is described in more detail and compared with the other syndromes involving the kneecap and pelvis. One case was discovered as a result of a femoropatellar pain syndrome, a second because of slight functional disturbances. The third case was a chance finding. Although, in two of the cases, several affections of the locomotor apparatus were found in the patients' families, it could not be confirmed that the syndrome was hereditary.