Quadriceps Tendon Tear
- The quads tendon sits above the knee, joining the quads muscles to the top of the patella.
- Tears are more common in middle aged populations. The mechanism of injury is an eccentric (lengthening) contraction of the quads resulting in a painful disabling condition.
- Tendon weakness caused by tendinitis or chronic disease will result in higher risk of sustaining a quads tendon tear. Most large quads tendon tears should be treated surgically.
What are the symptoms of a tear?
- A popping or tearing sensation
- Pain and swelling
- Inability to straighten the knee
- An indentation at the top of your kneecap where the tendon tore
- Bruising
- Tenderness
- Cramping
- Your kneecap may droop because the tendon is torn
- Difficulty walking due to the knee buckling or giving way
What is the treatment?
- Small tears may heal with brace immobilization, crutches and physical therapy.
- However most complete tears require surgery to repair the torn tendon. Surgery involves reattaching the torn tendon to the top of the kneecap.
- Results are better if the repair if performed soon after the injury to prevent tendon scarring or the tendon shortening and tightening.