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Repair and augmentation of a spontaneous patellar tendon rupture in a patient with Ehlers–Danlos syndrome: a case report

  • Trauma Surgery
  • Published:
Archives of Orthopaedic and Trauma Surgery Aims and scope Submit manuscript

Abstract

Introduction

Disruption of the knee extensor mechanism is a serious disorder that requires prompt treatment. It often occurs in the form of a patellar tendon rupture. It may occur in association with systemic disease or after administration of corticosteroids or fluoroquinolones. These conditions can cause tendon weakness, and consequent ruptures usually require both repair and augmentation. This paper reports on repair and augmentation for treating patellar tendon rupture in patients with Ehlers–Danlos syndrome (EDS).

Case report

We report a patellar tendon rupture in a 27-year-old man with EDS, which occurred in the midsubstance of the patella. As the patient has tendon weakness, extensive repair will increase the risk of patella baja, and the use of end-to-end suturing technique alone will not be enough to prevent a rupture recurring; however, augmentation could be used to address the tendon weakness. Repair of the rupture and augmentation with hamstring tendon was performed. One year after the surgery, the patient was able to move his knee joint without pain and had an active range of motion of 0° (passive 20°)–145°. He was able to perform a straight leg raise without an extension lag.

Conclusions

Repair and augmentation with hamstring tendon was an effective treatment option for patellar tendon rupture in a patient with EDS.

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Acknowledgments

This work was not funded by any private, industrial, or governmental organizations.

Conflict of interest

The authors declare that they have no conflict of interest.

Ethical standard

Each author certifies that all investigations were conducted in accordance with the ethical principles of research. The patient in this study gave informed consented.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Orthopaedic Surgery, Graduate School of Medical Science, Kanazawa University, 13-1, Takara-machi, Kanazawa, Ishikawa, 920-8641, Japan

    Yasushi Takata, Junsuke Nakase, Hitoaki Numata, Takeshi Oshima & Hiroyuki Tsuchiya

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  1. Yasushi Takata
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  2. Junsuke Nakase
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  3. Hitoaki Numata
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  4. Takeshi Oshima
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  5. Hiroyuki Tsuchiya
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Correspondence to Yasushi Takata.

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Takata, Y., Nakase, J., Numata, H. et al. Repair and augmentation of a spontaneous patellar tendon rupture in a patient with Ehlers–Danlos syndrome: a case report. Arch Orthop Trauma Surg 135, 639–644 (2015). https://doi.org/10.1007/s00402-015-2179-9

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s00402-015-2179-9

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