II. Risk Factors
- Patellar Tendinopathy may predispose to Patellar Tendon Rupture
III. Mechanism
- Forceful knee flexion against resistance
IV. Signs:
- Large Knee Effusion
- Defect between tibial tubercle and inferior Patella
- Difficult active knee extension
V. Differential Diagnosis
- Patellar Dislocation
- Quadriceps tendon rupture (elderly)
- Tibial tuberosity avulsion (adolescents)
VI. Imaging: Knee XRay
VII. Imaging: Advanced
- Knee Bedside Ultrasound
- Ruptured tendon will appear hypoechogenic with a separation between tendon ends
- Dynamic views may better define the tendon ends
-
Knee MRI
- Definitive study to identify extent of rupture and plan surgical repair
VIII. Management
- Surgical Correction within 10 days of injury
- Cast immobilization for 6 weeks following surgery
- Physical therapy
IX. Complications: Associated with delayed surgery
- Quadriceps contracture shortens extensor mechanism
X. References
- Hoppman and Shannon (2021) Crit Dec Emerg Med 35(11): 16-7
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Related Studies
| Concepts | Injury or Poisoning (T037) |
| SnomedCT | 30832001, 415748002 |
| English | rupture of patellar tendon (diagnosis), rupture of patellar tendon, patellar rupture tendon, of patellar tendon rupture, patellar ruptures tendon, patellar tendon rupture, Rupture of patellar tendon, Patellar tendon rupture, Rupture of patellar tendon (disorder), Traumatic rupture of patellar tendon (disorder), Traumatic rupture of patellar tendon |
| Spanish | ruptura traumática de tendón rotuliano, ruptura traumática del tendón rutuliano, ruptura traumática de tendón rotuliano (trastorno), ruptura traumática del tendón patelar, ruptura traumática del tendón rutuliano (trastorno), ruptura del tendón de la rótula, ruptura del tendón rotuliano (trastorno), ruptura del tendón rotuliano |
