[Treatment and results of ruptures of the patellar tendon]

Ruptures of the patellar ligament are rather uncommon. In younger individuals they are due to adequate trauma, in older individuals spontaneous ruptures occur after inadequate trauma. We observed eight traumatic (mean = 26.5 years) and eleven spontaneous ruptures (mean = 57.5 years) between 1980 and 1990. There is no alternative to surgical repair of the ruptured or torn-out patellar ligament. Tendon-repair with supportive wire-looping and early functional physiotherapy produces a good functional result. The outcome of patients treated in this manner shows persisting slightly muscular atrophy of minor degree and limited knee mobility with only a little all-day handicap.