Open patellar tendon avulsion from tibial tuberosity after ACL reconstruction successfully treated with suture anchors

Patellar Tendon Reconstruction Using Tibialis Posterior Allograft for Treatment of Patellar Tendon Rupture After Bone-Patellar Tendon-Bone Anterior Cruciate Ligament Reconstruction

Background: Bone-patellar tendon-bone (BPTB) autografts are often used to treat anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) tears in young, highly active patients. These grafts are robust and provide adequate stability, allowing for return to sport and optimal functional outcomes in athletes. Patellar tendon rupture following BPTB ACL reconstruction is rare and can be difficult to treat. Case Report: A 19-year-old collegiate wrestler injured his left knee during a match. On evaluation 7 days after the injury, he was found to have increased anterior translation of the tibia on Lachman testing and an abnormal pivot shift. Magnetic resonance imaging demonstrated a complete tear of the ACL, and he successfully underwent a BPTB ACL reconstruction without complication. He progressed appropriately in the acute postoperative period. Six weeks after his index surgery, the patient reinjured his left knee and was diagnosed with a patellar tendon rupture. The previously reconstructed ACL was intact. A posterior tibialis tendon graft was used to repair the patellar tendon via a transosseous tunnel in the tibial tuberosity. The patient's recovery was complicated by a superficial wound that resolved with treatment. He achieved full range of motion and was able to return to sport. Conclusion: No technique for treating patellar tendon rupture following BPTB ACL reconstruction has been widely accepted. The treatment of this injury is left to the preference of the surgeon. This case demonstrates that tibialis posterior allografts are a viable option for the treatment of such injuries.

Safety and Performance of Titanium Suture Anchors Used in Knee Ligament Repair Procedures

Injuries to the knee ligaments can be particularly disabling in young patients, given the risk of long-term disability if adequate fixation is not achieved during initial repair. The TWINFIX™ titanium (Ti) suture anchor with ULTRABRAID™ Suture (Smith and Nephew, London, UK) was designed to secure tendon and ligament reconstructions with increased boney ingrowth at the anchor site with minimal invasive technique. This retrospective analysis looked at 33 patients (41 implants) operated with this device between 2015 and 2019 at a single institution. The average age of patients was 33.18 years (standard deviation [SD], 15.26), with an average body mass index of 24.88 (SD, 3.49). The indications were lateral extra-articular tenodesis during anterior cruciate ligament reconstruction, medial patellofemoral ligament reconstruction, quadriceps or patellar tendon repair and medial collateral ligament repair. After an average follow up of 24.3 + 6.53 months, there was no reports of clinical failure or radiographic evidence of implant failure or loosening. One patient experienced a complication unrelated to the study device, requiring manipulation under anesthesia with resolution of symptoms. This case series supports the safety and performance of this implants for the knee procedures in which its use is indicated. Additional follow-up will be required to determine whether these effects are sustained at medium- and long-term durations.