Open Repair of a Thrice Ruptured Twice Repaired Traumatic Patellar Tendon

Area of Science:

• Orthopedic Surgery
• Sports Medicine
• Regenerative Medicine

Background:

• Patellar tendon repair failure rates vary widely (2-50%), influenced by surgical technique.
• Revision patellar tendon repair presents significant challenges with limited literature, often confined to case reports.

Observation:

• A rare case of a thrice-failed, twice-repaired patellar tendon was addressed.
• A novel surgical approach involved augmenting the repair with cerclage wire and a hamstring autograft.
• The procedure utilized a dual-specialty, orthoplastic approach.

Findings:

• The novel technique resulted in a superior range of motion (0-140°).
• This range of motion exceeds that reported in previous case studies (maximum 0-130°).
• The patient successfully returned to all pre-injury activities.

Implications:

• This case provides valuable insights into managing complex, thrice-failed patellar tendon repairs.
• The described technique offers a potential solution for challenging revision cases.
• Findings may guide future surgical decision-making and treatment strategies for recurrent patellar tendon failure.