[Rupture of the extensor apparatus of the knee; 45 cases]

The authors describe 45 cases of rupture of the extensor apparatus of the knee (excluding fracture of the patella). Some new ideas are put forward concerning the frequent cause by road accidents and the contribution of certain predisposing features which cause degenerative changes of the tendon. Operation was performed in all cases. The extensor apparatus was reconstructed by suture, cerclage or reinsertion, together with the use of procedures described by Mac Laughlin and Scuderi. The results are presented in detail. 90% are very good or good but complications during operation or in the post operative phase were frequent and occurred in 27% of the cases.