What Are the Symptoms of a Quadriceps Tendon Rupture?

The knee extension device consists of the quadriceps, patella, and patellar tendons. The quadriceps femoris consists of the rectus femoris, middle femur, external femur, and inner femoral muscles, and the tendons form the largest sesamoid and sacral ligaments of the human body. The function of the quadriceps is to extend the calf, the thigh, and flex, extend the knee (joint), flex the hip (joint), and maintain the human intelligence posture. When the peak of the sudden contraction force of the quadriceps muscle exceeds the mechanical load limit of a weak part of the knee extension device, it will cause it to break. The fracture may be an incomplete fracture, that is, a micro tear of a portion of the collagen fibers. Direct cutting injuries can also cause ruptures of the quadriceps or plantar tendons.

Basic Information

Visiting department

orthopedics

Common locations

Quadriceps

Common causes

Sudden flexion of the knee joint and sudden contraction of the quadriceps

Common symptoms

Knee extension disorders, supracondylar tenderness, hemorrhage of the supracondylar capsule, and discontinuity in the quadriceps tendon and emptiness

Causes of quadriceps tendon rupture

It is usually caused by the sudden flexion of the knee joint and the sudden contraction of the quadriceps femoris. At this time, the patella is the fulcrum of the entire knee extension device on the femoral condyle. Therefore, the knee extension device is mostly injured by the patella fracture Rupture of the quadriceps tendon and patellar tendon is relatively rare. Direct cutting injuries can also cause the quadriceps tendon to rupture.

Clinical manifestations of quadriceps tendon rupture

Occurred more often in people over 40 years of age, the location of the fracture is mostly near the upper edge of the sacrum. Posttraumatic patients develop typical knee extension disorders, supracondylar tenderness, hemorrhage of the supracondylar capsule, and discontinuity in the quadriceps tendon.

Examination of quadriceps tendon rupture

Lateral knee radiograph, knee MRI, showing shadow of rupture of quadriceps tendon.

Diagnosis of quadriceps tendon rupture

With a history of trauma, local swelling, pain, impaired knee extension, and X-ray examination showing a broken shadow, the diagnosis can be made.

Treatment of quadriceps tendon rupture

1. Management of fresh quadriceps tendon rupture

In order to obtain satisfactory repair results, repair operations should be completed within 48 hours after injury. Two surgical options are generally available:

(1) Suture of tendon to tendon;

(2) Suture of tendon to bone.

Since fractures almost always occur in areas of degenerative changes, surgical repairs must be strengthened with fascial strips or other means. Triangular inverted quadriceps tendon flap can also be used for repair.

2. Management of old quadriceps tendon rupture

Rupture of the quadriceps tendon for months or years makes repairing difficult. If the two stumps can be matched, they can be repaired in the manner of fresh quadriceps nodule rupture. However, it is often found that there is a large defect between the two ends, which needs to be repaired with a broad fascia.

Prognosis of quadriceps tendon rupture

Surgical treatment of old quadriceps knee rupture is not as satisfactory as acute injury. Although the stability of the knee joint is restored and the mobility is also restored to some extent, the strength of knee extension is rarely recovered completely. Therefore, emphasizing the postoperative rehabilitation training, including the electric pulse stimulation treatment of the quadriceps, has some significance.