Spontaneous bilateral patellar tendon rupture in an otherwise healthy patient. A case report.


Published online: Feb 27 2003

Quintero Quesada J, Mora Villadeamigo J, Abad Rico JI.

Department of Orthopaedic Surgery, Carlos Haya General Hospital, Malaga, Spain.

Abstract

Bilateral rupture of the patellar tendons is a rare lesion, usually associated with systemic diseases such as systemic lupus erythematosus, rheumatoid arthritis, chronic renal failure and others. It is extremely rare in a healthy individual, with fewer than 15 cases described. A case of a 32-year-old male with no known history of systemic disease or knee problems is presented. Physical examination, xrays and MRI demonstrated bilateral rupture of the patellar tendons. The tendons were repaired using a nonabsorbable suture reinforced with two titanium anchors fixed to each patella, and a quadriceps tendon flap. The evolution was satisfactory, with both knees recovering a full range of motion in a four-month period.