J Knee Surg 2008; 21(2): 122-129
DOI: 10.1055/s-0030-1247806
Original Article

© 2008 Thieme Medical Publishers

Repair of Patellar Tendon Rupture Using Suture Anchors

Brandon D. Bushnell1 , Joshua N. Tennant2 , James H. Rubright2 , R. Alexander Creighton1
  • 1The Department of Orthopedic Surgery, University of North Carolina Hospitals, Chapel Hill, NC
  • 2The University of North Carolina School of Medicine, Chapel Hill, NC
Further Information

Publication History

Publication Date:
14 January 2010 (online)

ABSTRACT

Acute isolated rupture of the patellar tendon traditionally has been repaired via transpatellar suture tunnels. This retrospective study evaluated the demographics and epidemiology of this injury as well as the effectiveness and complication rates of our suture anchor technique. Between 1993 and 2005, a total of 82 cases of patellar tendon disruption in 71 patients were repaired. Fourteen cases involved basic primary repair with suture anchors of an acute isolated rupture of the patellar tendon and had an average follow-up of 29 months (range: 3-112 months). There were 3 (21%) failures of repair. The remaining 11 patients had excellent range of motion and strength and returned to their preoperative level of function. These results are comparable with other reports in the literature. The suture anchor technique thus represents a viable option for repair of patellar tendon ruptures and should be investigated further with a randomized, controlled trial.