Biomechanical evaluation of patellar tendon repair using Krackow suture technique

Patellar tendon rupture is a potentially devastating injury. Surgical repair is the primary treatment recommended for the patients with patellar tendon ruptures. Given the tendon properties, the suture technique is critical for proper tissue repair. Providing adequate loading during early mobilization is essential to prevent tendon suture repair failure. Therefore, the current study evaluated the mechanical characteristics of various applied loadings on patellar tendon repair using Krackow suture via a porcine model.

Twelve fresh porcine hindlimbs with patellar tendon rupture were repaired by Krackow method using synthetic and non-absorbable No. 5 Ethibond sutures. Loadings of 100 and 200 N were applied during the cyclic loading test. A three-dimensional optical motion capture system was used to record the gap formation at the initial, 50th, 100th, 150th, 200th, 250th, 500th, 750th, and 1000th cycle. After cyclic loading, the specimen was loaded to failure under displacement control at a rate of 1 mm/s.

Suture breakage was the primary failure mode in both loading conditions. After 1000 cyclic loadings of 100 N, the ultimate failure strength was 243.6 ± 25.8 N. However, the specimens tested under 200 N of loading failed before reaching 200 cycles. Under the 100 N loading, the largest gap deformation (1.89 ± 0.23 mm) and residual deformation (0.213 ± 0.183 mm) were found in the initial cycle. The average cumulative displacement was 5.13 mm from the initial cycle to the 100th cycle and 4.5 mm from the 250th to the 1000th cycle.

Our findings can serve as reference values for further comparisons with various repair techniques or materials. This study suggests that the initially applied load after patellar tendon repair is an important risk factor of re-rupture.