Abstract

We reviewed 13 patients with end stage jumpers knee, 10 with patellar tendon ruptures, and 3 with ruptures of the quadriceps tendon to evaluate our longterm results in treating these tendon ruptures in an athletic population. The focus was on the natural history, the time until return, and the level of return, to athletic activity. Jumpers knee affected all patients to a varying degree prior to rupture. Basketball was the most common sport involved. Patellar and quadriceps tendon ruptures from indirect injury in athletes represent the end stage of jumpers knee and result from repetitive microtrauma. Excellent function usually follows repair of patellar tendon ruptures when surgery is performed early and care is taken to restore normal patellar tendon length. Results of quadriceps ruptures are less satisfactory since these ruptures are usually incomplete and all degenerative tissue may not be involved in the healing response. Verf.-Referat