Bilateral Quadriceps Tendon Repair with Suture Anchors: Case Series

Bilateral and simultaneous quadriceps tendon rupture is rarely observed. This case series evaluates 3 patients with bilateral ruptures of the quadriceps tendon. The purpose of this case series is to display the effectiveness of the suture anchor surgical repair technique in these patients.

Three obese male patients experienced some type of traumatic injury to the knee extensor mechanism, resulting in bilateral quadriceps tendon ruptures. Each of the patients was evaluated and given operative and nonoperative treatment options, and they all elected to undergo surgical tendon repair. Two double-loaded anchors were placed into the superior pole of the patella, allowing the tendons to be reduced back to their original positioning. Postoperatively, all patients were given the same guidelines for physical therapy, and their progress was monitored periodically. Each patient returned to his normal level of physical activity. Range of motion at the knee and weight bearing were reestablished in all 3 patients.

These quadriceps tendon ruptures occurred in patients with a predisposition to injury as a result of excessive weight bearing. When addressing bilateral quadriceps tendon ruptures in this patient population, we found that a suture anchor-based construct allows for a secure repair, early initiation of physical therapy, and a noted improvement in pain scores on the Visual Analog Scale.