Patellar Tendon Rupture After Total Knee Arthroplasty

Abstract

Rupture of the patellar tendon after total knee arthroplasty is an infrequent but serious complication. A 65-year-old woman with bilateral knee involvement due to degenerative osteoarthritis had a total knee arthroplasty followed by rupture of the patellar tendon 16 months later. Surgical repair of the rupture was performed by the interrupted suture techique plus reinforcement with Leeds-Keio (Howmedica) ligament system. An above-knee cast splint was applied with the knee in full extension for 4 weeks. The functional result was good one year after the surgery.