ABSTRACT BACKGROUND: The Norwich Patellar Instability (NPI) score is a tool for evaluating the impact of patellofemoral instability on joint function. It has not been translated or culturally adapted for the Brazilian population before. OBJECTIVE: This study had the aims of translating and culturally adapting the NPI score for use in Brazilian Portuguese and subsequently assessing its validity for this population. DESIGN AND SETTING: Translation, cross-cultural adaptation and validation study conducted at the State Public Servants’ Institute of São Paulo, Brazil. METHODS: Sixty patients of both sexes (aged 16-40 years) with diagnoses of patellar dislocation were recruited. The translation and cultural adaptation were undertaken through translation into Brazilian Portuguese and back-translation to English by an independent translator. Face validity was assessed by a committee of experts and by 20 patients. Concurrent validity was assessed through comparing the Brazilian Portuguese NPI score with the Brazilian Portuguese versions of the Lysholm knee score and the Kujala patellofemoral disorder score among the other 40 patients. Correlation analysis between the three scores was performed using Pearson correlation coefficients with significance levels of P < 0.05. RESULTS: The Brazilian Portuguese version of the NPI score showed moderate correlation with the Brazilian Portuguese versions of the Lysholm score (r = -0.56; 95% confidence interval, CI: -0.74 to -0.30; P < 0.01) and Kujala score (r = -0.57; 95% CI: -0.75 to -0.31; P < 0.01). CONCLUSION: The Brazilian Portuguese version of the NPI score is a validated tool for assessing patient-reported patellar instability for the Brazilian population.

RESUMO A fratura-avulsão da tuberosidade anterior da tíbia é uma lesão incomum que ocorre no jovem atleta, resultado de uma contração excêntrica do mecanismo extensor do joelho com o membro inferior fixo ao solo. Lesões concomitantes ao tendão patelar são muito raras, com poucos casos relatados na literatura. Os autores apresentam o caso de um atleta de basquete de 15 anos que sofreu uma fratura-avulsão da tuberosidade anterior da tíbia associada à ruptura completa distal do tendão patelar durante movimento de arremesso no treino esportivo. O paciente foi tratado com redução aberta da fratura e reparo do tendão patelar com miniâncoras e parafuso poste com reforço tendinoso com enxerto autólogo de semitendíneo. O paciente apresentou ótimos resultados e retornou ao esporte após 12 meses de acompanhamento.

ABSTRACT Avulsion of the tibial tubercle is an uncommon injury that occurs in the young athlete, resulting from an eccentric contraction of the extensor mechanism with the leg fixed to the ground. Concomitant injuries to the patellar tendon are very rare, with few cases reported in the literature. The authors present a case of a 15-year-old basketball player who suffered an avulsion of the tibial tubercle associated with complete distal rupture of the patellar tendon while training. It was treated with open reduction of the tibial fragment and reconstruction of the patellar tendon with mini-anchors and cannulated screws, as well as hamstring autograft tendon reinforcement. The patient showed excellent results and returned to sports after 12 months of follow-up.

RESUMO A síndrome de compartimento aguda não traumática em atletas é uma emergência ortopédica rara associada ao exercício físico extenuante. Apresenta diagnóstico difícil, frequentemente tardio, pode levar a complicações graves e alta morbidade. Os autores relatam o caso de uma atleta de futebol juvenil com uma síndrome compartimental aguda sem história de trauma, diagnosticada e tratada 24 horas após início dos sintomas, através de fasciotomia descompressiva minimamente invasiva, com boa evolução pós-operatória.

ABSTRACT Acute compartment syndrome in athletes is a rare orthopedic emergency associated with strenuous exercise. It is often diagnosed late and can lead to severe complications and high morbidity. This report describes the case of a young soccer player with acute compartment syndrome with no history of trauma, diagnosed and treated 24 h after the onset of symptoms, through minimally invasive decompressive fasciotomy, with good postoperative evolution.