Bilateral Extensor Mechanism Allograft Reconstruction in Native Knees: A Case Report

Area of Science:

• Orthopedic Surgery
• Musculoskeletal Reconstruction
• Biomaterials in Surgery

Background:

• Chronic quadriceps tendon ruptures can lead to significant extensor mechanism dysfunction.
• Patella baja, or low-lying kneecap, is a common complication following quadriceps tendon injuries.
• Failed revision surgeries present complex challenges in restoring knee function.

Observation:

• A 66-year-old male patient experienced persistent bilateral extensor mechanism dysfunction and severe patella baja.
• The patient had undergone prior failed revision surgeries for bilateral quadriceps tendon ruptures.
• A staged bilateral reconstruction using complete extensor mechanism allograft was performed.

Findings:

• The staged bilateral reconstruction with extensor mechanism allograft yielded excellent clinical outcomes.
• Patient satisfaction was high at the two-year follow-up assessment.
• This approach successfully addressed chronic quadriceps tendon rupture with profound patella baja.

Implications:

• Complete extensor mechanism reconstruction using allograft is a viable treatment option for complex cases.
• This surgical technique can restore function and improve patient satisfaction in challenging extensor mechanism deficits.
• Further research may explore long-term outcomes and compare allograft reconstruction with other reconstructive methods.