Patella tendon rupture is the rupture of the tendon that connects the patella (kneecap) to the top portion of the tibia (shinbone). The patellar tendon works together with the quadriceps muscle and the quadriceps tendon to allow your knee to straighten out.
When the patellar tendon tears, the patella may lose its support; as a result, when the quadriceps muscle contracts, the patella may move up into the thigh. You are unable to straighten your knee and upon standing, the knee buckles upon itself. In addition to this, you may experience pain, swelling, tenderness, a tearing or popping sensation, bruising and cramping.
A patellar tendon tear can be a partial or a complete tear. In a partial tear, some of the fibers in the tendon are torn, but the soft tissue is not damaged. In a complete tear, the soft tissues are disrupted into two pieces.
Treatment of Patellar Tendon Rupture
Patellar tendon rupture can be treated by non-surgical and surgical methods. Non-surgical treatment involves the use of braces or splints to immobilize the knee. Physical therapy may be recommended to restore the strength and increase the range of motion of the knee.
Patellar Tendon Repair
The goal of the surgery is to reattach the torn tendon to the kneecap and to restore normal function in the affected leg. The procedure is performed under regional or general anesthesia and an incision is made on the front of the knee to expose the tendon rupture. Holes are made in the patella, strong sutures are tied to the tendon and then threaded through these holes. These sutures pull the torn edge of the tendon back to its normal position on the kneecap.
Severe damage can make the patellar tendon very short, and in such cases, reattachment will be difficult. Your surgeon may attach a tissue taken from a donor (allograft) to lengthen the tendon.
Recovery following Patellar Tendon Repair
Following surgery, a brace may be needed to protect the healing tendon. Complete healing of the tendon will take about 6 months.
Risks and Complications of Patellar Tendon Repair
As with all surgeries, patella tendon repair may be associated with certain risks and complications. Complications after the repair may include infection, blood clot, weakness, loss of motion, detachment from the kneecap or retears.
