Ruptures of the patella tendon can be classified as avulsions (Type I), acute (Type II) and chronic ruptures (Type III). Avulsions are often of iatrogenic nature and can be sufficiently treated by transosseous refixation prior to implantation of the revision TKA. Acute ruptures of the patellar tendon can originate from trauma or intraoperative injury. The rupture can be restored by primary suture in combination with a wire cerclage in the case of good tendon quality and the absence of patient comorbidities (Type IIA). In the case of poor tendon quality or existing comorbidities (Type IIB) additional augmentation of the ruptured tendon, utilizing the autologous semitendinosus/gracilis tendon, is recommended. Chronic ruptures revealing a good patellar bone stock (Type IIIA) can be treated by a combination of a semitendinosus augmentation and a turndown quadriceps tendon flap. In the case of a poor patellar bone stock (Type IIIB) transpatellar fixation of the semitendinosus tendon is virtually impossible, so that an allograft augmentation or the use of a soft tissue muscle flap (i. e. the gastrocnemius flap) has to be considered. A failed complex reconstruction with or without infection (Type IIIC) is an invidious surgical task and needs to be addressed by the utilization of a muscle flap, an allograft or a patellectomy with or without arthrodesis.
Revision total knee arthroplasty is a challenging surgical procedure. In addition to the regular soft tissue release techniques and joint approaches, the surgeon has to be aware of proximal and distal extension procedures to securely expose the joint and minimize the risk of extensor mechanism complications.
scite is a Brooklyn-based organization that helps researchers better discover and understand research articles through Smart Citations–citations that display the context of the citation and describe whether the article provides supporting or contrasting evidence. scite is used by students and researchers from around the world and is funded in part by the National Science Foundation and the National Institute on Drug Abuse of the National Institutes of Health.
hi@scite.ai
10624 S. Eastern Ave., Ste. A-614
Henderson, NV 89052, USA
Copyright © 2024 scite LLC. All rights reserved.
Made with 💙 for researchers
Part of the Research Solutions Family.