Acquired changes in thickness and length of patellar tendon after primary total knee arthroplasty: a prospective ultrasonographic study with over 4 years of follow-up

Abstract

Previous literature has reported changes in the length or thickness of the patellar tendon (PT) following primary total knee arthroplasty (TKA). This study aims to determine the structural changes in both the length and thickness of the PT after primary TKA using ultrasound (US) and to investigate the association between these changes and clinical outcomes after a minimum follow-up of 48 months. This prospective study used the US on 60 knees of 32 patients (aged 54-80, mean 64.8±7 years) before and after primary TKA to evaluate changes in both the length and thickness of the patellar tendon. Clinical outcomes were assessed with HSS and Kujala scores. At the latest follow-up evaluation, there was a significant overall shortening of PT by 9.1% (p<0.001), in addition to significant global thickening by 20% (p<0.001). Besides, there was significant thickening by 30% in the proximal 1/3 (p<0.01) and 27% in the middle 1/3 (p<0.01) segments of PT. There was a significant negative correlation between the thickening identified in all three parts of the tendon and both clinical outcome measures (p<0.05). The results show the presence significant changes in PT in terms of length and thickness after primary TKA; in addition, increased thickness in PT was more strongly and significantly associated with inferior clinical outcomes, including functionality and anterior knee pain, than shortness in PT. This study also suggests that the US is a viable, non-invasive method for documenting PT changes in both length and thickness after TKA with serial scans.