Simultaneous bilateral quadriceps tendon rupture in renal patients

Simultaneous bilateral quadriceps tendon rupture occurs in patients with renal disease. It has been hypothesized that the length of renal disease and the length of dialysis may correlate with the development of tendon ruptures. This study aims to characterize the factors involved in patients with renal disease and simultaneous bilateral quadriceps tendon rupture.

All reported cases of simultaneous bilateral quadriceps tendon rupture were identified using MEDLINE. Each case was reviewed for information regarding this injury.

Of the 65 cases reviewed, 24 cases involved patients with renal disease. Males were more often affected than females, almost a 2 : 1 ratio. The mean age of injury was 36 years. Most patients (63%) had signs of secondary hyperparathyroidism. The average length of renal disease was 13 years while the average length on dialysis was 6.5 years. Age, gender, mechanism of injury, time before diagnosis, location of rupture, method of repair, presence of hyperparathyroidism, length of renal disease or length on dialysis were not related to functional outcome. However, length on dialysis was related to mechanism of injury.

Most patients with renal disease and simultaneous bilateral quadriceps tendon rupture have good functional recovery. Duration of dialysis is related to spontaneous tendon rupture and should be considered a complication of chronic renal failure.