title: Acute quadriceps tendon rupture repaired by suture anchors: Outcomes at 7 years' follow-up in 25 cases.
abstract: Acute quadriceps tendon rupture is rare. The gold-standard repair technique is transosseous patellar suture. Biomechanical studies have validated the use of anchors as an alternative. The present study sought to report long-term clinical and radiological results in a series of acute quadriceps tendon rupture repaired with anchors. The study hypothesis was that results are comparable to those of the gold-standard technique.
  
  
  
  A retrospective continuous study included 25 knees with acute quadriceps tendon rupture, operated on by a single surgeon between 2007 and 2013: 22 patients; 17 males, 5 females; mean age, 64 years (range: 52-87 years). Modified Bunnell suture was performed, using either 2 anchors (19 knees) or 3 anchors (6 knees). Anchors were positioned under 20° flexion. The factors studied were: active range of motion, muscle strength, patient satisfaction, Lysholm score, return to work, and the radiological behavior of the anchors.
  
  
  
  At a mean follow-up of 7 years (range: 3-9 years), all but 1 patient had 0° active extension. Mean active flexion was 128° (range: 110-150°), and mean muscle strength was 4.9/5. Mean Lysholm score was 92. Subjective results proved satisfactory or very satisfactory in 23 cases. Working patients returned to work at a mean 4.2 months. There were no cases of anchor migration or of re-rupture. One poorly tolerated anchor was ablated at 2 years, without functional impact.
  
  
  
  Outcomes with anchors were comparable to those of the gold-standard technique. Anchors allow immediate rehabilitation, without risk of anchor migration. The technique provided satisfactory functional recovery.
  
  
  
  IV, retrospective cohort study.
authors.affiliation: Service d'orthopédie et de traumatologie, centre hospitalier de La Rochelle, 17019 La Rochelle, France.
authors.forename: P
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Brossard
authors.affiliation: Service d'orthopédie et de traumatologie, centre hospitalier de La Rochelle, 17019 La Rochelle, France.
authors.forename: G
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Le Roux
authors.affiliation: Service d'orthopédie et de traumatologie, centre hospitalier de La Rochelle, 17019 La Rochelle, France. Electronic address: bruno.vasse@ch-larochelle.fr.
authors.forename: B
authors.initials: B
authors.lastname: Vasse
authors.affiliation: 18, rue de Bellinière, 49800 Trélazé, France.
mesh_terms: D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D005260:Female; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D052097:Quadriceps Muscle / Q000601:surgery*; D016059:Range of Motion, Articular; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D012421:Rupture / Q000601:surgery; D053441:Suture Anchors; D013708:Tendon Injuries / Q000601:surgery*; D016896:Treatment Outcome
keywords: Anchor; Outcomes; Quadriceps tendon; Radiographic evaluation; Rupture