SPONTANEOUS QUADRICEPS RUPTURE IN ATHLETE: RECONSTRUCTION

SPORTS MEDICINE REHABILITATION SECTION

SPONTANEOUS QUADRICEPS RUPTURE IN ATHLETE: RECONSTRUCTION

Lyrtzis C, Fotiadis E, Papadopoulos A, Gantsos A, Svarnas T, Koimtzis M.
General Hospital of Veria – Orthopedic Department, Greece
 
Indroduction.  The aim of this study is the presentation of an unusual case of spontaneous quadriceps tendon rupture in athlete and the surgical treatment.
Material – Method. A 28 years old athlete has visited the emergency orthopedic department complaining of fulminant pain in the distal third of his femur, during starting to run. On physical examination we found pain on the distal third of the femur, a palpable hole between the ends of the tendon and failure of the knee extension. X-ray was negative for fracture. Surgical reconstruction has done immediately by passing sutures through the patella and by using suture anchors. We amplified and normalized the suture with graft jacket implant, because of the end’s debridment. Postoperatively a brace has used for 6 weeks to protect the suture. We start passive and active rehabilitation after the brace elimination. Results. Three months postoperatively, the athlete has not any movement limitation of the knee and he returned to his old activities and started again to run. Conclusion. The reconstruction of the quadriceps tendon with patella passing sutures, suture anchors and graft jacket implant is effective treatment for ruptures with debridment of the tendon ends.
Key words: quadriceps rupture, anchors, grafts implant.