[Quadriceps tendon ruptures: evaluation and treatment].

Objectives: We evaluated the patients who underwent surgical repair for rupture of the quadriceps tendon.

Methods: Five patients (4 men, 1 woman; mean age 56 years; range 33 to 77 years) had rupture of the quadriceps tendon at the osteotendinous junction. One patient had bilateral rupture. Etiology was a traffic accident in one patient, and fall from height in two patients. Two patients who were on dialysis treatment developed simultaneous bilateral rupture. Ruptures were repaired with heavy, nonabsorbable sutures placed in transosseous tunnels in the patella. The mean follow-up was two years (range 1 to 5 years).

Results: Complete healing was seen in all the patients within six months. The mean range of motion was 0 to 119 degrees. Muscle atrophy was not detected. Muscle strength was equal on both sides. None of the patients complained of patellofemoral pain.

Conclusion: Ruptures of the quadriceps tendon can be successfully managed through early diagnosis and surgical treatment. It should be recalled that concomitant diseases may predispose to ruptures in cases above 40 years of age.