title: Outcomes following quadriceps tendon ruptures.
abstract: Complete rupture of the quadriceps femoris tendon is a well-described injury. There is a scarcity of literature relating to the outcome of patients with this injury after surgery. We undertook a retrospective analysis of patients who had surgical repair of their ruptured quadriceps tendon at our institution over a seven year period-totalling 27 patients. Males were more commonly affected with a M:F ratio of 8:1. The peak incidence was in the sixth decade of life. The non-dominant limb was twice as likely to be affected. Assessment consisted of completion of a functional knee questionnaire, clinical examination and isokinetic testing on a Biodex dynanometer. Symptomatic outcome following surgical repair was excellent with a mean symptom score generated of 22.7 out of a maximum of 25. 18/19 patients returned to their premorbid level of activity on average 18.1 weeks following injury. There was no difference in quadriceps girth comparing affected and unaffected limbs. Less than 5 degrees deficit in range of motion existed between affected and unaffected limbs. Approximately two-thirds of patients were the same or better when comparing peak torque/body weight, average power, maximum average peak torque and total work/body weight in affected and unaffected limbs.
authors.affiliation: Department of Orthopaedic Trauma, Adelaide and Meath Hospitals incorporating the National Children's Hospital, Tallaght, Dublin 24, Ireland. keloshea@hotmail.com
authors.forename: K
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: O'Shea
authors.forename: P
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Kenny
authors.forename: J
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Donovan
authors.forename: F
authors.initials: F
authors.lastname: Condon
authors.forename: J P
authors.initials: JP
authors.lastname: McElwain
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007719:Knee Joint / Q000503:physiopathology; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D017060:Patient Satisfaction; D011183:Postoperative Complications; D016059:Range of Motion, Articular; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D012421:Rupture / Q000601:surgery; D013708:Tendon Injuries / Q000503:physiopathology / Q000534:rehabilitation / Q000601:surgery*; D013848:Thigh; D016896:Treatment Outcome