Primary Repair of Patellar Tendon Rupture Without Augmentation
- 1 May 1999
- journal article
- research article
- Published by SAGE Publications in The American Journal of Sports Medicine
- Vol. 27 (3), 304-307
- https://doi.org/10.1177/03635465990270030601
Abstract
Repair of patellar tendon ruptures has often relied on cerclage augmentation and prolonged immobilization in extension. We are reporting our experience with avulsion injuries as well as midsubstance ruptures, both treated with primary repair without augmentation, allowing early mobilization in the athlete less than 40 years of age. Repairs were performed to allow knee flexion to more than 60°. Rehabilitation was performed with heel slides, allowing flexion to 45° for the first 3 weeks, increasing to 90° at 3 to 6 weeks, and thereafter without restriction. An accelerated weightbearing and muscle strengthening program was adopted. At a mean follow-up of 2.6 years (range, 20 to 61 months), 12 patients had returned to their previous levels of activity. No loss of extension or extensor lag was noted; mean flexion loss was 5°. Patellofemoral symptoms and signs were present in five patients, but activity was limited in only two. Mean peak torque at 60 deg/sec was 92% (range, 73% to 105%). Mean Lysholm score was 94 2.5 points. Primary repair with immediate, protected range of motion resulted in uniformly excellent results and obviated the need for manipulation or subsequent hardware removal.Keywords
This publication has 13 references indexed in Scilit:
- Simultaneous Rupture of the Anterior Cruciate Ligament and the Patellar TendonThe American Journal of Sports Medicine, 1996
- Isolated Rupture of the Patellar Tendon in AthletesThe American Journal of Sports Medicine, 1994
- TRAUMATIC PATELLAR TENDON RUPTURESJournal Of Trauma-Injury Infection and Critical Care, 1994
- Effects of partial patellectomy and reattachment of the patellar tendon on patellofemoral contact areas and pressures.The Journal of Bone & Joint Surgery, 1993
- Functional postoperative treatment of Achilles tendon repairThe American Journal of Sports Medicine, 1992
- Patellar and quadriceps tendon ru p tures— jumper's kneeThe American Journal of Sports Medicine, 1984
- Evaluation of knee ligament surgery results with special emphasis on use of a scoring scaleThe American Journal of Sports Medicine, 1982
- The effects of local steroid injections on tendons: a biomechanical and microscopic correlative studyThe American Journal of Sports Medicine, 1976
- Jumper's KneeOrthopedic Clinics of North America, 1973
- Patella Position in the Normal Knee JointRadiology, 1971