The patella tendon is an essential component in straightening the leg and stabilizing the knee. Injuries to this tendon can cause partial or complete tears, leading to symptoms such as pain, swelling, tenderness, difficulty walking, and anatomical deformity. While partial tears may be treated non-surgically, complete tears typically require a patella tendon repair procedure. During the surgery, an incision is made to expose the torn tendon and sutures are passed through the holes drilled in the bottom section of the patella bone to tie the tendon and bone together. Recovery typically involves physical therapy and immobilization of the knee. Our board-certified and fellowship-trained orthopaedic knee specialists are experts in patella tendon repair and provide patients with personalized care throughout the recovery process. If you're experiencing symptoms of a torn patella tendon, it's important to seek medical attention as soon as possible. Contact us to schedule an appointment and get on the path to recovery.
Patella tendon repair is a surgical procedure that repairs a completely torn patella tendon. The procedure is performed under general anesthesia on an outpatient or inpatient basis. After a board-certified anesthesiologist administers general anesthesia and pain medications, the procedure is carried out as follows:
The incision is carefully closed and sterilely dressed to prevent infection and ensure proper healing. The knee is placed in a comfortable knee immobilizer set to a locked position. Physical therapy begins 1-2 weeks after surgery and continues throughout the recovery process. Total recovery time is usually about 6 months.
The patella tendon connects the patella to the tibia (shin bone) and is very important because it works in unison with the quadriceps tendon to straighten the leg and stabilize the knee. Forceful jumps and falls and sometimes lacerations cause patella tendon tears. Tears may be partial or complete. Partial tears are usually treated non-surgically and complete tears usually require a patella tendon repair. Torn patella tendon symptoms patients should be aware of include the following:
Patients may also notice that their kneecap moves a great deal when they walk. Patients who injure their knee and experience torn patella tendon symptoms are advised to make an appointment with our Board-Certified and Fellowship-Trained Orthopaedic knee specialists as soon as possible.
