Histologic analysis of ruptured quadriceps tendons

Abstract

Quadriceps tendon ruptures are uncommon injuries. Degenerative changes in the tendon are felt to be an important precondition for rupture. We retrospectively reviewed 45 quadriceps tendon ruptures in 42 patients. Quadriceps tendon ruptures occurred most often in the sixth and seventh decade of life. Men were affected six times as often as women. A tissue sample from the rupture-zone was obtained in 22 cases and histologic analysis was performed. Degenerative changes were present in only 14 (64%) of the 22 samples. We observed an increasing ratio of degenerative to nondegenerative tendons with increasing patient age. Our data suggests that quadriceps tendon rupture, especially in younger patients, can occur in the absence of pathologic tendon degeneration.

Quadriceps tendon rupture - treatment results

“…Since a quadriceps tendon rupture is a very rare injury, only solitary case reports [15][16][17] or small case series from 5 to 42 patients [18][19][20][21][22][23] can be found in literature. Our study sample, which included 29 patients operated in a ten-year-period in three clinical centers, may be considered a larger series.…”

Simultaneous bilateral quadriceps tendon rupture in a patient with hyperparathyroidism undergoing long-term haemodialysis: A case report and literature review

“…6 Quadriceps tendon rupture often occurs in older patients, especially men. 5 Weakening of the quadriceps tendon may predispose the patient to rupture, as can uraemia, rheumatoid arthritis, diabetes mellitus, nephritis, gout, autoimmune inflammatory diseases, tumours and the prolonged use of systemic steroid therapy. 1 Furthermore, cases of quadriceps rupture after total knee arthroplasty have been reported.…”

Functional Results Following Surgical Repair of Simultaneous Bilateral Quadriceps Tendon Ruptures

“…1 It is postulated that ruptures occur due to a weakening of the tendon as a result of chronic medical conditions, whether from fatty degeneration of the tendon or change in collagen content. 2,3 The current literature demonstrates that these injuries can also occur in the younger, athletic population without comorbidities. 4 Bilateral quadriceps tendon ruptures are rare and often associated with underlying medical conditions such as diabetes mellitus (DM), chronic renal failure, gout, hyperparathyroidism, obesity, and chronic steroid use.…”