title: Functional reconstruction of a chronically ruptured extensor apparatus after patellectomy.
abstract: Rupture of the knee extensor mechanism after previous patellectomy is rare. A treatment protocol therefore is not available. This article presents a new and easy technique using a gracilis-semitendinosus tendon autograft for successful reconstruction of a ruptured knee extensor mechanism after previous patellectomy.
authors.affiliation: Department of General and Trauma Surgery, Saint Elisabeth Hospital, Hilvarenbeekseweg 60, 5022 GC Tilburg, The Netherlands.
authors.forename: Christian C M A
authors.initials: CC
authors.lastname: Donken
authors.forename: Jacob J
authors.initials: JJ
authors.lastname: Caron
authors.forename: Michiel H J
authors.initials: MH
authors.lastname: Verhofstad
mesh_terms: D000063:Accidents, Traffic; D002908:Chronic Disease; D005260:Female; D017102:Fracture Healing; D050723:Fractures, Bone / Q000601:surgery*; D006801:Humans; D008279:Magnetic Resonance Imaging; D008875:Middle Aged; D010329:Patella / Q000293:injuries* / Q000601:surgery*; D016059:Range of Motion, Articular; D019651:Plastic Surgery Procedures / Q000379:methods*; D012421:Rupture; D013709:Tendon Transfer / Q000379:methods*; D013710:Tendons / Q000601:surgery*