Purpose
The aims were to study arterial blood supply of the tibial tuberosity, and to evaluate its remaining blood supply after patellar ligament transposition in children.
Methods
The anatomic study was carried out on 15 lower limbs after latex injection, and on two fetuses after diaphanization.
Results
Tibial tuberosity was vascularized by an arterial network mainly supplied by anterior tibial recurrent artery. Other arteries from the popliteal artery or its branches were also involved in the tibial tuberosity blood supply.
Conclusions
Our findings confirm the safety of transposition of patellar ligament in children due to dense arterial network supplying tibial tuberosity.