Patellar Tendon Lengthening: Rescue Procedure for Patella Baja

Abstract

Patella baja is a challenging pathologic condition that causes pain and functional restrictions and can even lead to premature osteoarthritis—even more so in cases of patella infera or cases associated with degeneration of the patellar tendon in which simple conservative treatment frequently is not resolutive. Several surgical options have been described for symptomatic patella baja: excision of the lower third of the patella, lengthening of the patellar tendon, reconstruction of the patellar tendon with allograft, and proximalization of the tibial tubercle. A combination of 2 or more of these treatments may be recommended in cases of significant patella baja. We present a simple and reproducible technique to address patella baja that combines a partial transposition of the tibial tubercle and patellar tendon lengthening using a subperiosteal patellar flap in continuity with the patellar tendon.