Quadriceps tendon ruptures-is there a complete functional restitution?
From January 1986 to November 1999, 35 patients with 36 traumatic ruptures of the quadriceps tendon, all without medical risk factors, were treated (33 men, 2 women; mean age 55 years). Thirty patients were operated within 14 days after trauma. With an average follow up of 55.4 months (7-168) 29 of 30 still living patients (96.7%) were studied retrospectively. Questionnaire (Lysholm score), physical examination, X-ray of both knees and isokinetic testing were performed. The outcome was significantly (P < 0.001) dependent on the time of operative procedure. Twenty-four patients treated within the first 14 days had 20 excellent and 4 good results, the other 5 one good, 1 satisfying and 3 poor results. Twenty-one of 23 patients (91%) could return to work. The type of repair (direct or transosseous suture with or without augmentation), the kind of postoperative physiotherapy, the age and the body mass index had no influence on the final outcome.
Abteilung für Unfall- und Wiederherstellungschirurgie, Berufsgenossenschaftliches Unfallkrankenhaus Hamburg, Bergedorferstrasse 10, 21033 Hamburg, Germany. m.wenz@buk-hamburg.de
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Wenzl
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Kirchner
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Seide
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Strametz
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Jürgens
D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007719:Knee Joint / Q000601:surgery*; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D012421:Rupture / Q000601:surgery; D013537:Sutures; D013708:Tendon Injuries / Q000534:rehabilitation / Q000601:surgery*; D016896:Treatment Outcome