Skip to main content

Advertisement

SpringerLink
Log in

Simultaneous complete bilateral patellar tendon ruptures: two cases and literature review

Rupture simultanée bilatérale du tendon rotulien

  • Case Report and Literature
  • Published:
European Journal of Orthopaedic Surgery & Traumatology Aims and scope Submit manuscript

Abstract

Infra-patellar tendon is the least common site for the disruption of extensor mechanism of knee joint. Bilateral simultaneous patellar tendon ruptures are very rare and extremely uncommon in healthy individuals. We report two cases of simultaneous complete bilateral patellar tendon ruptures, one in a healthy adult male and the second in a patient suffering from chronic rheumatoid arthritis. To the best of our knowledge, this report represents the third reported case of bilateral simultaneous patellar tendon rupture in rheumatoid arthritis. Rarity of bilateral ruptures and symmetry of physical findings may make the diagnosis difficult. Early surgical repair gives excellent results. Relevant literature is reviewed.

Résumé

Le tendon patellaire est l’élément le plus rarement touché dans les ruptures de l’appareil extenseur du genou. Les ruptures bilatérales sont extrêmement rares, d’autant plus chez le sujet sain. Les auteurs rapportent 2 cas de ruptures bilatérales simultanées du tendon patellaire, l’une chez un adulte en bonne santé, l’autre chez un patient souffrant d’une polyarthrite rhumatoïde. La rareté des ruptures bilatérales et la symétrie à l’examen clinique rendent le diagnostic difficile. Une réparation chirurgicale rapide donne de bons résultats.

This is a preview of subscription content, log in via an institution to check access.

Access this article

Log in via an institution

Price excludes VAT (USA)
Tax calculation will be finalised during checkout.

Instant access to the full article PDF.

Institutional subscriptions

Fig. 1
Fig. 2

Similar content being viewed by others

References

  1. Babini SM, Arturi A, Marcos JC, Babini JC, Iniguez AM, Morteo OG (1988) Laxity and rupture of the patellar tendon in systemic lupus erythematosus. Association with secondary hyperparathyroidism. J Rheumatol 15:1162–1165

    CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  2. Canale, S. Terry, Campbell’s operative orthopaedics, 10th edn. Mosby, pp 2380–2468

  3. Carson WG, James SL, Larson RL, Singer KM, Winternitz WW (1984) Patellofemoral disorders: physical and radiographic evaluation. Part II: Radiographic examination. Clin Orthop 185:178–186

    PubMed  Google Scholar 

  4. Chen CH, Niu CC, Yang WE, Chen WJ, Shih CH (1999) Spontaneous bilateral patellar tendon rupture in primary hyperparathyroidism. Orthopedics 22:1177–1179

    CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  5. Clark SC, Jones MW, Choudhury RR, Smith E (1995) Bilateral patellar tendon rupture secondary to repeated local steroid injections. J Accid Emerg Med 12:300

    CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  6. Cooney LM, Aversa JM, Newman JH (1980) Insidious bilateral infrapatellar tendon rupture in a patient with systemic lupus erythematosus. Ann Rheum Dis 39:592–595 http://www.ejbjs.org/cgi/ijlink?linkType=ABST&journalCode=annrheumdis&resid=39/6/592

    Google Scholar 

  7. Davidsson L, Salo M (1969) Pathogenesis of subcutaneous tendon ruptures. Acta Chir Scand 135:209–212

    CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  8. Donati RB, Cox S, Echo BS, Powell CE (1986) Bilateral simultaneous patellar tendon rupture in a female collegiate gymnast. A case report. Am J Sports Med 14:237–239

    CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  9. Fowler A, Mitchell GP (1950) Bilateral rupture of the extensor tendons of the knee. Lancet 1:205–206

    Article  Google Scholar 

  10. Furie RA, Chartash EK (1988) Tendon rupture in systemic lupus erythematosus. Semin Arthritis Rheum 18:127–133

    Article  CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  11. Giblin P, Small A, Nichol R (1982) Bilateral rupture of the ligamentum patellae: two case reports and a review of the literature. Aust N Z J Surg 52:145–148

    CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  12. Greenbaum B, Perry J, Lee J (1994) Bilateral spontaneous patellar tendon rupture in the absence of concomitant systemic disease or steroid use. Orthop Rev 23:890–893

    CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  13. Gross G, Reck T, Kessler C, Herzog T, Hoffmann-Preiss K (1992) Bilateral rupture of the patellar tendon without predisposing systemic disease. Arch Orthop Trauma Surg 112:42–44

    CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  14. Hughes GN, Harder JA (1979) Bilateral patellar tendon rupture associated with chronic glomerulonephritis. Can J Surg 22:389

    CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  15. Kamali M (1979) Bilateral traumatic rupture of the infrapatellar tendon. Clin Orthop 142:131–134

    PubMed  Google Scholar 

  16. Kannus P, Józsa L (1991) Histopathological changes preceding spontaneous rupture of a tendon. A controlled study of 891 patients. J Bone Joint Surg Am 73:1507–1525

    CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  17. Kothari P, Mohan N, Hunter JB, Kerslake R (1998) Case report. Bilateral simultaneous patellar tendon ruptures associated with osteogenesis imperfecta. Ann R Coll Surg Engl 80:416–418

    CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  18. Kricun R, Kricun ME, Arangio GA, Salzman GS, Berman AT (1980) Patellar tendon rupture with underlying systemic disease. AJR Am J Roentgenol 135:803–807

    CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  19. Margles SW, Lewis MM (1978) Bilateral spontaneous concurrent rupture of the patellar tendon without apparent associated systemic disease. A case report. Clin Orthop 136:186–187

    PubMed  Google Scholar 

  20. Martin JR, Wilson CL, Mathews WH (1958) Bilateral rupture of the ligamenta patellae in a case of disseminated lupus erythematosus. Arthritis Rheum 6:548–552

    Google Scholar 

  21. Mayer J, Ilic S, DeHoratius RJ, Messner RP, Hidalgo R (1976) Sequential tendon rupture. Systemic lupus erythematosus. Sequential tendon rupture. Rocky Mt Med J 73:264

    CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  22. McMaster PE (1933) Tendon and muscle ruptures Clinical and experimental studies on the causes and location of subcutaneous ruptures. J Bone Joint Surg 15:705–722

    Google Scholar 

  23. Morgan J, McCarty DJ ( 1974) Tendon ruptures in patients with systemic lupus erythematosus treated with corticosteroids. Arthritis Rheum 17:1033–1036

    CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  24. Munakata T, Nishida J, Shimamura T, Ichinohe S, Abe M, Ehara S (1995) Simultaneous avulsion of patellar apexes bilaterally in a hemodialysis patient. Skeletal Radiol 24:211–213

    CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  25. Peiro A, Ferrandis R, Garcia L, Alcazar E (1975) Simultaneous and spontaneous bilateral rupture of the patellar tendon in rheumatoid arthritis. A case report. Acta Orthop Scand 46:700–703

    CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  26. Podesta L, Sherman MF, Bonamo JR (1991) Bilateral simultaneous rupture of the infrapatellar tendon in a recreational athlete. A case report. Am J Sports Med. 19:325–327

    Google Scholar 

  27. Pritchard CH, Berney S (1989) Patellar tendon rupture in systemic lupus erythematosus. J Rheumatol 16:786–788

    CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  28. Provelegios S, Markakis P, Cambouroglou G, Choumis G, Dounis E (1991) Bilateral, spontaneous and simultaneous rupture of the quadriceps tendon in chronic renal failure and secondary hyperparathyroidism. Report of five cases. Arch Anat Cytol Pathol 39:228–232

    CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  29. Razzano CD, Wilde AH, Phalen GS (1973) Bilateral rupture of the infrapatellar tendon in rheumatoid arthritis. Clin Orthop 91:158–161

    CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  30. Rose PS, Frassica FJ (2001) Atraumatic bilateral patellar tendon rupture- A case report and review of the literature. J Bone Joint Surg Am 83:1382–1386

    Google Scholar 

  31. Rosenberg JM, Whitaker JH (1991) Bilateral infrapatellar tendon rupture in a patient with jumper’s knee. Am J Sports Med 19:94–95

    CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  32. Schwartzberg RS, Csencsitz TA (1996) Bilateral spontaneous patellar tendon rupture. Am J Orthop, 25:369–372

    Google Scholar 

  33. Siwek CW, Rao JP (1981) Ruptures of the extensor mechanism of the knee joint. J Bone Joint Surg Am 63:932–937

    CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  34. Strejcek J, Popelka S (1969) Bilateral rupture of the patellar ligaments in systemic lupus erythematosus. Lancet 2:743

    Article  CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  35. Sullivan RL (1986) Traumatic bilateral patellar tendon rupture with chronic renal disease. Wis Med J 85:12–13

    CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  36. Webb LX, Toby EB (1986) Bilateral rupture of the patella tendon in an otherwise healthy male patient following minor trauma. J Trauma, 26:1045–1048

    Google Scholar 

  37. Zernicke RF, Garhammer J, Jobe FW (1977) Human patellar-tendon rupture. J Bone Joint Surg Am 59:179–183

    CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

Download references

Author information

Authors and Affiliations

  1. Good Hope Hospital NHS Trust, Birmingham, UK

    Narayan Hulse & N. Tellisi

  2. 409 Princess Road, Manchester, M14 7ER, UK

    Narayan Hulse

Authors
  1. Narayan Hulse
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  2. N. Tellisi
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

Corresponding author

Correspondence to Narayan Hulse.

Rights and permissions

Reprints and permissions

About this article

Cite this article

Hulse, N., Tellisi, N. Simultaneous complete bilateral patellar tendon ruptures: two cases and literature review. Eur J Orthop Surg Traumatol 14, 255–258 (2004). https://doi.org/10.1007/s00590-004-0169-7

Download citation

  • Received:

  • Accepted:

  • Published:

  • Issue Date:

  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s00590-004-0169-7

Keywords

Mots clés

Search

Navigation