Patellar Tendon Rupture after Lateral Release without Predisposing Systemic Disease or Steroid Use

Area of Science:

• Orthopedic Surgery
• Sports Medicine
• Biomedical Engineering

Background:

• Arthroscopic lateral release is a standard surgical treatment for recurrent patellar dislocations.
• While various complications are documented, patellar tendon rupture is not typically associated with this procedure.
• Systemic conditions can predispose individuals to bilateral patellar tendon ruptures due to collagen weakening.

Purpose of the Study:

• To report the first documented case of spontaneous patellar tendon rupture occurring years after arthroscopic lateral release.
• To raise awareness of a potential, previously unrecognized complication of this common orthopedic surgery.

Main Methods:

• Case report of a 24-year-old female patient.
• Review of the patient's surgical history, including arthroscopic lateral release at age 16 for recurrent patellar dislocation.
• Clinical examination and diagnostic assessment for spontaneous patellar tendon rupture.

Main Results:

• The patient experienced a spontaneous patellar tendon rupture.
• The rupture occurred several years after the initial arthroscopic lateral release procedure.
• This represents the first reported instance linking arthroscopic lateral release to subsequent spontaneous patellar tendon rupture.

Conclusions:

• Arthroscopic lateral release may be an underrecognized risk factor for delayed spontaneous patellar tendon rupture.
• Further research is warranted to investigate the potential biomechanical or biological mechanisms connecting the surgery to this complication.
• Clinicians should consider this potential complication in patients presenting with patellar tendon issues post-arthroscopic lateral release.