Isolated Rupture of the Patellar Tendon in Athletes

The purpose of this study was to review patellar tendon ruptures in athletes treated with surgical repair. Six pa tellar tendon ruptures in five athletic patients were iden tified at our institution between 1980 and 1990. All pa tients had operative debridement and primary repair of the ruptured patellar tendon using nonabsorbable su tures passed through patellar drill holes at an average of 2.5 days after injury. Personal interview, physical ex amination, roentgenographic evaluation, and isokinetic strength testing were performed at an average of 6 years after surgery. At final followup, no patient had complaints referable to the patellar tendon repair; all were able to achieve their premorbid levels of sports at an average of 18 months after injury. No patient thought that the surgically repaired knee was unstable or activity-limiting. All patients demonstrated full range of motion and strength equal to or greater than that of the noninjured side. One patient required an arthroscopic lateral release for lateral patellar facet pressure syn drome with an excellent result. No complications oc curred ; no other reoperations were required. Complete disruption of the patellar tendon is an uncommon injury in athletic individuals without predisposing medical con ditions. After acute operative repair and aggressive re habilitation, an excellent and enduring functional outcome can be expected.