Diagnosis of Bilateral Quadriceps Tendon Rupture Using Point-of-Care Ultrasound

Area of Science:

• Orthopedic Surgery
• Emergency Medicine
• Diagnostic Imaging

Background:

• Bilateral quadriceps tendon rupture is an uncommon injury.
• Delayed diagnosis can lead to significant morbidity.
• Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) is the gold standard but has limitations in emergency settings.

Purpose of the Study:

• To highlight the diagnostic utility of point-of-care ultrasound (POCUS) for bilateral quadriceps tendon rupture.
• To emphasize the importance of prompt diagnosis and surgical intervention.

Main Methods:

• Case presentation of a healthy 32-year-old male with bilateral knee pain after a jump.
• Diagnosis confirmed via point-of-care ultrasound (POCUS).
• Patient underwent prompt operative repair.

Main Results:

• Point-of-care ultrasound (POCUS) successfully identified bilateral quadriceps tendon rupture.
• The patient received timely surgical repair the following day.

Conclusions:

• Bilateral quadriceps tendon rupture is rare and prone to misdiagnosis.
• Point-of-care ultrasound (POCUS) is a valuable, rapid screening tool in emergency settings.
• Early POCUS diagnosis facilitates timely surgical repair, reducing patient morbidity.