Patellar tendon rupture
| Patellar tendon rupture | |
|---|---|
| Classification and external resources | |
 Patellar tendon rupture showing a marked distance between the tibial tuberosity and the bottom of the patella. |
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| ICD-10 | S76.1 |
| ICD-9 | 727.66 |
| eMedicine | article/1249472 |
Patellar tendon rupture is a rupture of the tendon that connects the patella to the tibia. The patellar tendon attaches to the tibial tubercle on the front of the tibia just below the front of the knee, and is connected to the bottom of the patella, above which are attached to the quadriceps tendon, followed by the quadriceps muscle, large muscles on the front of the thigh. This structure allows the knee to flex and extend, allowing use of basic functions such as walking and running.
When rupture occurs, the patella loses support from the tibia and moves toward the hip when the quadriceps muscle contract, hindering the leg's ability to extend. This means that those affected cannot stand, as their knee buckles and gives way when they attempt to.
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[edit] Diagnosis
Patellar tendon rupture can usually be diagnosed by physical examination and X-Ray. Partial tears may be visualized using MRI scans. Patellar tendon rupture is diagnosed by recognising that the patella has moved upward along the thigh.
[edit] Treatment
Patellar tendon rupture must be treated through surgery. In the surgery, an incision is made in the skin over the rupture, the site of which is identified. The tendons are retracted so surgeons may inspect the femur. The tendon ends are then sewn together.
A cast or brace is then put over where the operation took place. The cast or brace remains for at least 6 weeks followed by an unidentified time of rehabilitation of the knee.
The usual risks of surgery are involved including: infection, stiffness, suture reaction, failure of satisfactory healing, risks of anesthesia, phlebitis, pulmonary embolus, and persistent pain or weakness after the injury and repair.
If the tendon rupture is a partial tear (without the two parts of the tendon being separated) then non-surgical methods of treatment may suffice. The future of non-surgical care for partial patella tendon ruptures is likely bioengineering. Ligament reconstruction is possible using mesenchymal stem cells and a silk scaffold.[1] These same stem cells were capable of seeding repair of damaged animal tendons.[2]
WWE Superstar Sin Cara recently suffered this injury at the show's annual Survivor Series event. Doctors said it would take 6-9 months of recovery before he could return.
[edit] References
- ^ Fan H, Liu H, Wong EJ, Toh SL, Goh JC (August 2008). "In vivo study of anterior cruciate ligament regeneration using mesenchymal stem cells and silk scaffold". Biomaterials 29 (23): 3324–37. doi:10.1016/j.biomaterials.2008.04.012. PMID 18462787.
- ^ Long JH, Qi M, Huang XY, Lei SR, Ren LC (June 2005). "[Repair of rabbit tendon by autologous bone marrow mesenchymal stem cells]" (in Chinese). Zhonghua Shao Shang Za Zhi 21 (3): 210–2. PMID 15996290.
[edit] External links
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