Ossification centers of the knee

Ossification centers of the knee vary from reference to reference, but an approximation is listed below.

Distal femur
  • femoral shaft: 8 weeks in utero
  • distal femur: 3-6 months
Patella
  • between 1-3 ossification centers appear at 3-5 years
Proximal tibia
  • tibial shaft: 7 weeks in utero
  • tibial plateau: 9 months in utero (i.e. usually present at birth)
  • tibial tuberosity: 10-12 years
Proximal fibula
  • fibula shaft: 8 weeks in utero
  • fibular head: 2-4 years