Patellar Tendon Rupture with Transosseous Tunnel Repair

Patellar tendon rupture is an injury most often occurring in adults and commonly caused by tensile overload to the extensor mechanism of the knee or direct trauma to the tendon. Early diagnosis and timely surgical repair lead to good functional outcomes and high rates of return to activity.

In patients with impaired knee extensor mechanisms, inability to perform a straight leg raise, or evidence of complete tendon rupture on imaging, surgical tendon repair is indicated.

The surgical technique demonstrated here presents a standard patellar tendon repair with transosseous tunnels of a 32-year-old man. Briefly, dissection was performed down to the retinacular layer, and the patellar tendon stump was identified. Any devitalized soft tissue was removed from the inferior pole of the patella and the proximal tendon stump by a rongeur. Two locking Krackow sutures were placed along the medial and lateral aspect of the patellar tendon. Then, a drill bit was used to create 3 transosseous tunnels in the patella and a nitinol basket was used to pass sutures through each tunnel. The retinacular layer was closed by figure-of-eight stiches, followed by layered closure of the subcutaneous layer, and finally, the skin.

Early surgical repair of the patellar tendon leads to good functional outcomes and return to sport rates. In a retrospective study of 38 knees, at average of 9.3 years follow-up, 96% of patients reported they were satisfied/very satisfied, with a 100% returning to work. High rates of return to sports have been reported from a retrospective study, with a 94.4% and 83.3% rate of return to sport and rate of return to sport at the same level, respectively.

In this surgical technique video, we review the common presentation, indications of surgical repair, key steps and technique pearls for a case of a ruptured patellar tendon. Furthermore, we review complications and postoperative rehabilitation guidelines, postoperative clinical outcomes, and return-to-sport rates existing in the literature. Finally, we assess key differences between 2 commonly used surgical techniques, knotless suture anchors versus transosseous tunnels, in patellar tendon repair.

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