Spontaneous Disruption of the Bilateral Knee Extensor Mechanism: A Report of Two Cases

Spontaneous disruption of the knee extensor mechanism is associated with systemic diseases, steroid usage, and repeated microtrauma. Early repair or reconstruction is imperative for optimal outcome. We report 2 cases of spontaneous disruption of the bilateral knee extensor mechanism. The first patient had connective tissue disease and long-term steroid use. She had acute-on-chronic spontaneous bilateral patellar tendon rupture. She underwent reconstruction with an allograft and defunctioning wire. The second patient had end-stage renal failure with tertiary hyperparathyroidism and was on haemodialysis. He had a right patellar tendon rupture and a left quadriceps tendon rupture. He underwent primary repair of both tendons. Postoperatively, both patients followed a strict physiotherapy regimen and achieved good functional outcome.

[1]  Benjamin C. Taylor,et al.  Bilateral patellar tendon rupture at different sites without predisposing systemic disease or steroid use. , 2009, The Iowa orthopaedic journal.

[2]  L. Camarda,et al.  Simultaneous chronic rupture of quadriceps tendon and contra-lateral patellar tendon in a patient affected by tertiary hyperparatiroidism , 2008, Journal of Orthopaedics and Traumatology.

[3]  A. Pillai,et al.  Bilateral patellar tendon ruptures: a missed diagnosis , 2007, Knee Surgery, Sports Traumatology, Arthroscopy.

[4]  A. Pillai,et al.  Bilateral patellar tendon ruptures: a missed diagnosis : case report and literature review. , 2007, Knee surgery, sports traumatology, arthroscopy : official journal of the ESSKA.

[5]  M. Ryšavý,et al.  Spontaneous and simultaneous quadriceps and patella tendon rupture in a patient on chronic hemodialysis. , 2005, Orthopedics.

[6]  A. Weckbach,et al.  Bilateral patellar tendon rupture without predisposing systemic disease or steroid use: a case report and review of the literature , 2005, Archives of Orthopaedic and Trauma Surgery.

[7]  N. Maffulli,et al.  Rupture of the Achilles and patellar tendons. , 2003, Clinics in sports medicine.

[8]  E. Shiota,et al.  Spontaneous Major Tendon Ruptures in Patients Receiving Long-Term Hemodialysis , 2002, Clinical orthopaedics and related research.

[9]  J. Masonis,et al.  Bilateral quadriceps tendon rupture as the initial presentation of amyloidosis. , 2001, Orthopedics.

[10]  F. Frassica,et al.  Atraumatic bilateral patellar tendon rupture, A case report and review of the literature. , 2001, The Journal of bone and joint surgery. American volume.

[11]  J. Franke,et al.  [Bilateral and simultaneous quadriceps tendon rupture in secondary hyperparathyroidism. A case report]. , 1999, Zentralblatt fur Chirurgie.

[12]  C. Mbubaegbu,et al.  Simultaneous rupture of the quadriceps tendon with contralateral rupture of the patellar tendon in an otherwise healthy athlete. , 1996, British journal of sports medicine.

[13]  M. W. Jones,et al.  Bilateral patellar tendon rupture secondary to repeated local steroid injections. , 1995, Journal of accident & emergency medicine.

[14]  D. Sonnabend,et al.  Simultaneous rupture of the patellar tendons bilaterally: case report and review of the literature. , 1993, The Journal of trauma.

[15]  F. van Glabbeek,et al.  Bilateral patellar tendon rupture: case report and literature review. , 1992, The Journal of trauma.

[16]  P. Kannus,et al.  Histopathological changes preceding spontaneous rupture of a tendon. A controlled study of 891 patients. , 1991, The Journal of bone and joint surgery. American volume.

[17]  J. Madgwick,et al.  Musculoskeletal manifestations of amyloidosis. A review of 83 patients on haemodialysis for at least 10 years. , 1991, The Journal of bone and joint surgery. British volume.

[18]  J. Healey,et al.  Cardiac arrest during hip arthroplasty with a cemented long-stem component. A report of seven cases. , 1991, The Journal of bone and joint surgery. American volume.

[19]  J. H. Whitaker,et al.  Bilateral infrapatellar tendon rupture in a patient with jumper's knee , 1991, The American journal of sports medicine.

[20]  W. Ribbans,et al.  Simultaneous bilateral rupture of the quadriceps tendon , 1989, The British journal of clinical practice.

[21]  R. Welsh,et al.  Spontaneous rupture of the quadriceps tendon and patellar ligament during treatment for chronic renal failure. , 1983, Canadian Medical Association journal.

[22]  P. Giblin,et al.  Bilateral rupture of the ligamentum patellae: two case reports and a review of the literature. , 1982, The Australian and New Zealand journal of surgery.

[23]  J. Rao,et al.  Ruptures of the extensor mechanism of the knee joint. , 1981, The Journal of bone and joint surgery. American volume.

[24]  R. Zernicke,et al.  Human patellar-tendon rupture. , 1977, The Journal of bone and joint surgery. American volume.

[25]  D. Mccarty,et al.  Tendon ruptures in patients with systemic lupus erythematosus treated with corticosteroids. , 1974, Arthritis and rheumatism.

[26]  J. Wener,et al.  Simultaneous bilateral rupture of the patellar tendon and quadriceps expansions in systemic lupus erythematosus. A case report. , 1974, The Journal of bone and joint surgery. American volume.

[27]  K. J. Murphy,et al.  TEARS OF MAJOR TENDONS IN CHRONIC ACIDOSIS WITH ELASTOSIS. , 1965, The Journal of bone and joint surgery. American volume.

[28]  C. A. Steiner,et al.  Simultaneous bilateral rupture of the quadriceps tendon. , 1949, American journal of surgery.

[29]  P. Mcmaster.  TENDON AND MUSCLE RUPTURES , 1933 .