Abstract
The patellar tendon is well suited to sonographic evaluation because it is large and
superficial and thus easily demonstrated. Sonography is a focused examination, concentrating
on the area of pain and clinical suspicion. Its advantages over MR imaging are the
speed of performance, better spatial resolution, capability of dynamic evaluation,
and real-time guidance for percutaneous procedures. In addition, the advent of extended
field-of-view imaging allows the demonstration of the entire length or cross section
of an area of interest, matching MR imaging's ability to display a large anatomical
region. This article reviews the sonographic appearances of disorders of the patellar
tendon.
Keywords
sonography - knee - patellar tendon - hyperemia - tendinosis
