Tendon Injuries of the Knee Extensor Mechanism: Treatment and Rehabilitation Protocol

Main Article Content

Mateo Renato Alzate Munera
Sebastián Pereira
Fernando Bidolegui

Abstract

Background: The rupture of the extensor mechanism can have its origin at bone or tendon level. Its main cause is patellar fracture, followed by quadriceps tendon rupture, and, finally, patellar tendon rupture. These ruptures can be due to direct or indirect trauma. Tendon ruptures of the extensor mechanism are rare, developing with trauma related to the daily routine, sports, or associated systemic diseases. They represent 3% of all tendon injuries.
Materials and Methods: We presented 22 tendon ruptures of the knee extensor mechanism, surgically treated between June 2015 and January 2019, from which eight (8) ruptures were of the quadriceps tendon (2 bilateral) and fourteen (14) of the patellar tendon (1 bilateral). The cases were evaluated using the Lysholm score, radiographs, and MRI.
Results: The minimum follow-up was one (1) year. According to the results of those twenty-two (22) surgeries, thirteen (13) cases had excellent results, seven (7) cases were good and two (2) of them were fair.
Conclusion: In cases of patellar tendon injury, the primary repair with transosseous suture plus figure-of-eight cerclage as augmentation provides a stable reconstruction, allowing the implementation of an early mobilization post-surgery protocol, thus achieving excellent functional outcomes with low complication levels.
 
 
 
 

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How to Cite
Alzate Munera, M. R., Pereira, S., & Bidolegui, F. (2021). Tendon Injuries of the Knee Extensor Mechanism: Treatment and Rehabilitation Protocol. Revista De La Asociación Argentina De Ortopedia Y Traumatología, 86(3), 291-298. https://doi.org/10.15417/issn.1852-7434.2021.86.3.1195
Section
Clinical Research
Author Biographies

Mateo Renato Alzate Munera, Orthopedics and Traumatology Service, Hospital Sirio Libanés, (Buenos Aires, Argentina)

Orthopedics and Traumatology Service, Hospital Sirio Libanés, (Buenos Aires, Argentina)

Sebastián Pereira, Orthopedics and Traumatology Service, Hospital Sirio Libanés, (Buenos Aires, Argentina)

Orthopedics and Traumatology Service, Hospital Sirio Libanés,  (Buenos Aires, Argentina)

Fernando Bidolegui, Orthopedics and Traumatology Service, Hospital Sirio Libanés, (Buenos Aires, Argentina)

Orthopedics and Traumatology Service, Hospital Sirio Libanés, (Buenos Aires, Argentina)

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