Quadriceps Tendon Rupture Animation

Omaha Quadriceps Tendon Rupture Animation by Dr. Darren Keiser MD

Quadriceps Tendon Rupture Information

Omaha Quadriceps Tendon Tear Information by Dr. Darren Keiser MD

Quadriceps Tendon RuptureTendons are strong cords of fibrous tissue that attach muscles to bones. The quadriceps tendon works with the muscles in the front of your thigh to straighten your leg. Small tears of the tendon can make it difficult to walk and participate in other daily activities.

A large tear of the quadriceps tendon is a disabling injury. It usually requires surgery and physical therapy to regain full knee function. Quadriceps tendon tears are not common. They most often occur among middle-aged people who play running or jumping sports.

The four quadriceps muscles meet just above the kneecap (patella) to form the quadriceps tendon. The quadriceps tendon attaches the quadriceps muscles to the patella. The patella is attached to the shinbone (tibia) by the patellar tendon. Working together, the quadriceps muscles, quadriceps tendon and patellar tendon straighten the knee.

Quadriceps Tendon Rupture occurs when the tendon that holds the patella, (the knee cap), to the thigh muscle in the knee tears and splits apart, allowing the patella to slide downward. This causes pain and an inability to straighten the knee.

A quadriceps tear often occurs when there is a heavy load on the leg with the foot planted and the knee partially bent. Think of an awkward landing from a jump while playing basketball. The force of the landing is too much for the tendon and it tears.

When a quadriceps tendon tears, there is often a tearing or popping sensation. Pain and swelling typically follow, and you may not be able to straighten your knee.

Quadriceps Tendon Rupture symptoms include:

> An indentation at the top of your kneecap where the tendon tore
> Bruising
> Tenderness
> Cramping
> Your kneecap may sag or droop because the tendon is torn
> Difficulty walking due to the knee buckling or giving way

Quadriceps Tendon Rupture Treatment

What Happens after a Quadriceps Tendon Tear?

Quadriceps Tendon RuptureYour doctor will discuss your general health and the symptoms you are experiencing. He or she will also ask you about your medical history. After discussing your symptoms and medical history, your doctor will conduct a thorough examination of your knee. To determine the exact cause of your symptoms, your doctor will test how well you can extend, or straighten, your knee. While this part of the examination can be painful, it is important to identify a quadriceps tendon tear.

Most people with complete tears will require surgery to repair the torn tendon. If you have a large partial tear or a partial tear associated with tendon degeneration, your doctor may also recommend surgery. This will likely depend upon your age, your activities, and your previous level of function.
Surgical repair reattaches the torn tendon to the top of the kneecap. People who require surgery do better if the repair is performed soon after the injury. Early repair may prevent the tendon from scarring and tightening into a shortened position.

Hospital stay? Although tendon repairs are sometimes done on an outpatient basis, most people do stay in the hospital at least one night after this operation. Whether or not you will need to stay overnight will depend on your medical needs.
The surgery may be performed with regional (spinal) anesthetic which numbs your lower body, or with a general anesthetic that will put you to sleep.

To reattach the tendon, sutures are placed in the tendon and then threaded through drill holes in the kneecap. The sutures are tied at the bottom of the kneecap. Your surgeon will carefully tie the sutures to get the right tension in the tendon. This will also make sure the position of the kneecap closely matches that of your uninjured kneecap.

A recent development in quadriceps tendon repair is the use of suture anchors. Surgeons attach the tendon to the bone using small metal implants (called suture anchors). Using these anchors means that drill holes in the kneecap are not necessary. This is a new technique, so data is still being collected on its effectiveness. Most orthopaedic research on quadriceps tendon repair involves the direct suture repair with the drill holes in the kneecap.

Quadriceps Tendon Rupture Specialist

Set up an Appointment with Dr. Darren Keiser MD

Dr. Darren Keiser MD
222 N 192nd St.
Elkhorn, NE 68022
(402) 390-4111

Areas for Quadriceps Tendon Rupture:

Dr. Keiser has patients from many different areas in and around Nebraska.

Omaha, Beatrice, Bellevue, Columbus, Fremont, Grand Island, Hastings, Kearney, La Vista, Lexington, Lincoln, Norfolk, North Platte, Papillion, Scottsbluff, South Sioux City.

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