According to ancient Greek writers many people indigenous to the mountainous Cilicia province of Asia Minor had no knee-cap (επιγονατιδες, in Greek). As a result of this they were able to run at very high speed. They were reported to have "knees of pirates", able to escape capture. Byzantine Emperor Zenon (474 - 491 AD), who was from Cilicia, had such knees.
If the above is correct the phenomenon would not be very rare today.
Dear,
Unfortunately absence of patella as an isolated anomaly is extremely rare. It is usually absent as part of a syndrome, most commonly hereditary arthro-onchyo-dysplasia (Nail Patella Syndrome - NPS).
Biomechanically, absence of the patellar bone could severely compromise the functionality of the lower limbs extensor mechanims. Clinically, in patients with NPS, this translates to a severe extension deficit and fixed flexion deformity, with concomitant lateral instability of the extensor complex. I presonally doubt this could give any advantage during running, even if these patients seldom present any particulatly invalidating disability.
Very interesting historical findings nonetheless.
Best regards,
Giuseppe
Dear Giuseppe Diodato Santoro
I am very grateful for your expert contribution on this strange situation that has been reported and had bothered me for years.
I gathered it was very rare situation but could not believe they would be advantages in running, etc.
Cilicia has had a rough history and has been called "Τραχεια (rough) Κιλικια῾ in the literature mostly on account of its mountainous terrain that made its residents different, in many ways both physically and mentally.
Doubt that absence of patella could make the person run faster because the quadriceps mechanism- Extensor mechanism of the knee; seems quite useful for running.
Nonetheless, I appreciate this historical records
This is a dominant genetic disorder, extremely rare,
This pathology my be associates with:
Difficulty during walking and climbing
Flexion contracture
Knee instability
CT and MRI are useful to determine in detail Knee anatomy.
Dear Cen I. Bytyqi
Thank you for your expert contribution on this situation. I conclude that someone without a patella could not run in mountainous terrain as it has been reported.
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