Delayed Repair of Infected Ruptured Patellar Tendon using Suture Anchors

Abstract

Patellar tendon rupture are rare injuries that are easily missed in acute phases if careful clinical examination is not carried out. The delayed condition is further difficult to treat and augmentation of end to end repair is generally required. However, literature presents no such case of delayed presentation with presence of infection. We here present one such case of delayed presentation of patellar tendon rupture at three weeks in a 52-year-old male patient. Usual techniques were not sufficient to allow early rehabilitation. Technique of suture anchors was planned for repair after thorough debridement. After this intervention, patient was put on aggressive rehabilitation protocol and he gained excellent range of motion. Patient was followed for one year and he showed no loss of movement or signs of infection. We thus recommend using anchor suture repair of patellar tendon that provides a stable and rigid fixation with possibility of early active rehabilitation even in delayed setting.

Keywords

• Tendon injury
• Patellar ligament
• Rupture
• Knee injury