Length, Thickness, and Elasticity of the Patellar Tendon after Closed Wedge High Tibial Osteotomy: A Shear Wave Elastographic Study

Abstract

Purpose To compare the length, thickness, and elasticity of the patellar tendon between operated and non-operated knees following closed wedge high tibial osteotomy (CWHTO). Methods Three men and 17 women aged 52 to 75 (mean, 64.8) years who underwent unilateral CWHTO by a single surgeon and were followed up for a mean of 11 (range, 5–22) years were included, as were 3 male and 17 female healthy controls aged 35 to 61 (mean, 47.9) years. The length, thickness, and elasticity of the bilateral patellar tendons in the patients and healthy controls were measured using shear wave elastography. Results In the CWHTO patients, the patellar tendon on the operated side was thicker (4.4 vs. 3.3 mm, p=0.001) and stiffer (74.1 vs. 47.7 kPa, p<0.001) than on the non-operated side. Conclusion Patellar tendon contracture (thickening and stiffening) is associated with CWHTO.