Patellar tendon rupture and marked joint instability after total knee arthroplasty

Background

Patellar tendon rupture is a rare complication of total knee arthroplasty (TKA). Multiple repair methods have been described in the literature.

Methods

A 66-year-old woman suffered a patellar tendon re-rupture and marked joint instability within 6 months after revision TKA. She underwent re-revision TKA and extensor mechanism reconstruction with femoral quadriceps tendon and augmentation by a Leeds-Keio ligament.

Result

It was fairly difficult to acquire a satisfactory range of motion as well as gain in knee extension capacity by eliminating the extension lag.

Conclusion

Patellar tendon ruptures after TKA should be repaired as soon as they are recognized.