Traumatic bilateral concurrent patellar tendon rupture: an alterative fixation method

Abstract

A 37-year-old healthy Chinese man with traumatic bilateral concurrent patellar tendon rupture is presented. This is the 19th case reported in the literature. Sports-related activities are the most common cause of injury. The mechanism of rupture is forceful contraction of quadriceps muscle on a partially flexed knee. Previous surgical treatments have potential problems. Soft tissue anchors were used for restoration of the patellar continuity. Improved surgical techniques and excellent functional results are expected.

The Use of Suture Anchors to Repair the Ruptured Quadriceps Tendon

“…2,[5][6][7][8][9][10] Many of these techniques are similar to those reported in descriptions of surgical repair of the patellar tendon. [11][12][13][14][15][16][17][18] The authors who have repaired the quadriceps tendon with suture anchors have cited multiple advantages of this technique over traditional methods. 2,5,6 In an effort to further expand on this new technique, we provide a detailed description of our method of repairing the ruptured quadriceps tendon using suture anchors and illustrative examples of the 5 cases in which we have used it.…”

Repair of Patellar Tendon Rupture Using Suture Anchors

“…1 Proposed advantages of suture anchors include their ease of use, decreased surgical complications, decreased adhesion formation, and earlier return of range of motion and overall function in comparison with other methods of tendon repair. 1,[3][4][5]8,14,17,19,24 Several isolated case reports have drawn attention to the reconstruction of knee extensor mechanism injuries using suture anchors. 8,14,19,24 A recent biomechanical study of suture anchors in the patellar tendon showed less gap formation at the repair site with cyclic loading in comparison to transpatellar drill tunnels.…”

“…1,[3][4][5]8,14,17,19,24 Several isolated case reports have drawn attention to the reconstruction of knee extensor mechanism injuries using suture anchors. 8,14,19,24 A recent biomechanical study of suture anchors in the patellar tendon showed less gap formation at the repair site with cyclic loading in comparison to transpatellar drill tunnels. 4 A review of the literature, however, found no detailed case series or clinical studies about their use in the repair of the patellar tendon.…”

Total bilateral ruptures of the knee extensor apparatus

“…As reported by other authors, knee flexion coinciding with sudden contraction of the quadriceps was the most common injury mechanism. 17 , 21 , 22 , 23 Higher prevalence of ruptures at the intrasubstance tendon level have been reported previously and attributed to its tendency to degeneration under the influence of disease states or drug use. Instead, healthy tendons tend to tear at myotendinous junction or bone insertion level.…”