Quadriceps Tendon Repair Using Double-Row Suture Anchor Fixation

Editorial Commentary: Quadriceps Tendon Suture Anchor Repair Provides Better Patient-Reported Outcomes Than Transosseous Tunnel Repair: Defining the New Gold Standard

Quadriceps tendon suture anchor repair provides biomechanically greater and more consistent failure loads than transosseous tunnel repair, including less cyclic displacement (gap formation). Although satisfactory clinical outcomes are found with both repair techniques, few studies provide a side-to-side comparison. However, recent research demonstrates better clinical outcomes in using suture anchors, with equal failure rates. Suture anchor repair is minimally invasive requiring smaller incisions, less patellar dissection, and eliminates patellar tunnel drilling that can breach the anterior cortex, create stress risers, result in osteolysis from nonabsorbable intraosseous sutures and longitudinal patellar fractures. Suture anchor quadriceps tendon repair should now be considered the gold standard.

Chronic Quadriceps Tendon Ruptures: Primary Repair of Quadriceps Via Bioaugmentation and Patellar Tendon Lengthening

Quadriceps tendon ruptures are devastating injuries that impair the extensor mechanism of the knee. Complete tears require prompt surgical intervention in order to ensure optimal clinical outcomes. Chronic, neglected ruptures- marked by severe extensor lag, muscular atrophy, and tendon retraction- are difficult to treat. Further, severe patella baja complicates surgical planning. While there is no consensus on optimal treatment for these injuries, many different techniques have been proposed. Unlike many of these approaches, our technique focuses on restoration of patellar height via patellar tendon lengthening. Once patellar height is restored, quadriceps tendon repair can be performed using the native quadriceps tendon. Both the patellar tendon lengthening and the quadriceps tendon repair are augmented with bioinductive implants to ensure optimal healing environments, enabling us to reestablish native extensor mechanism function.

Concomitant Use of Single Suture Anchor and Transosseus Repair Provide Optimal Results in Simultaneous Bilateral Quadriceps Tendon Rupture: A Case Report

Introduction Bilateral quadriceps tendon rupture is a rare condition and often associated with underlying medical comorbidities such as chronic renal insufficiency. This case report is aimed to evaluate the surgical outcome using the combination of suture anchor and transosseus repair technique.   Presentation of Case Presenting a 54-year-old male who sustained simultaneous bilateral quadriceps tendon rupture with history of right nephrectomy and chronic kidney disease requiring intermittent hemodialysis. He came with sudden bilateral knee pain, history of falling, and inability to walk since three weeks before admission to the hospital. Tenderness above the superior pole on both patella, accompanied with slight swelling and no active range of motion (ROM) of either knee joint was found on physical examination. Complete rupture of the quadriceps tendon of both knees at their osseus-tendon junction were revealed on magnetic resonance imaging (MRI).   Discussion Recent literatures suggested that transosseus technique offers the safest and more stable tendon reattachment, while suture anchor provides biomechanical superiority. We tried to combine these advantages by incorporating both methods. Progressive active knee motion exercise was performed shortly after using the Kocher slab for 2 weeks.Subsequently, the patient can achieve painless, active extension and active 90°-120° knee flexion 1 month post-operatively.   Conclusion The application of a single suture anchor with transosseus repair in quadriceps tendon rupture led to an optimal outcome, improved stability, and earlier rehabilitation.