Bilateral patellar tendon repair with suture bridge augmentation: A case report

Area of Science:

• Orthopedic Surgery
• Sports Medicine
• Traumatology

Background:

• Patellar tendon rupture is a serious knee injury.
• Bilateral and simultaneous ruptures are exceptionally rare, especially without predisposing risk factors.
• Surgical intervention is typically required for optimal outcomes.

Observation:

• A 37-year-old male presented with sudden onset of bilateral patellar tendon rupture.
• The patient had no identifiable risk factors such as chronic disease, medication use, or previous trauma.
• This case represents the first documented instance of bilateral proximal patellar tendon rupture.

Findings:

• The patient underwent surgical repair utilizing a suture bridge technique with both patellar and tibial suture anchors.
• This represents the first reported application of this specific technique for bilateral proximal patellar tendon rupture.
• At 12-month follow-up, the patient demonstrated excellent functional recovery, including normal knee alignment, absence of joint effusion, and symmetric quadriceps strength compared to the contralateral side.

Implications:

• The suture bridge technique with combined patellar and tibial anchors is a viable and effective treatment option for simultaneous bilateral patellar tendon ruptures.
• This case expands the understanding of potential etiologies for patellar tendon rupture, suggesting spontaneous occurrence is possible.
• Further research may explore the long-term efficacy and broader applicability of this surgical technique in similar complex tendon injuries.