"The Chambat Sardine Can" technique for the treatment of chronic quadriceps tendon rupture

Ruptures of the quadriceps tendon (QT) are rare but serious injuries accounting for less than 2% of all tendon injuries around the knee. These injuries, often occurring in individuals over 40, are leading to a loss of active extension and a significant impact on knee function. While the treatment of acute QT ruptures through various reinsertion techniques has shown excellent outcomes, managing chronic injuries and failed primary repairs remains challenging due to tendon retraction and difficulties in repositioning the tendon stump. This study introduces a novel approach associating direct tendon reinsertion with metal frame reinforcement, aiming to effectively lower the retracted tendon to the proximal pole of the patella. This technique offers a promising alternative that addresses the limitations of traditional methods and potentially improves patient outcomes by providing a safe primary fixation and protection of the repair, enabling early rehabilitation and reducing the need for subsequent interventions. LEVEL OF EVIDENCE: IV; case series study.