Successful Management of Quadriceps Tendon Tear with Repair and Augmented with Semitendinosus Graft -A Case Series.

Abstract

Introduction: Quadriceps tendon injury is a very uncommon injury among athletes. The incidence is 13% of all tendon injuries. Quadriceps tendon injury is usually male predominant.

Case series: The study was conducted in our medical college in the period of 2022-2025. Ten patients with quadriceps tendon ruptures were included in the study. Through anterior midline approach, the tear was identified. Transverse patellar tunnel created after harvesting semitendinosus graft. Graft passed through the tunnel and both limbs sutured to the tendon after repairing the rent. All the patients were reviewed postoperatively at 1, 3, 6, and 12 weeks. Out of the ten patients, all the patients had successful outcome at the end of 6 weeks. Every patient was followed upto 2 years to look for any complication. Two patients had superficial infection which was treated with antibiotics.

Discussion: Quadriceps tendon injury is a very uncommon injury among athletes. The most commonly used method of repair is ipsilateral hamstring grafting. Other methods like stabilization with suture anchor, the Codivilla technique, and platelet-rich plasma administration are also being used. Chronic quadriceps tendon injuries are found to be more challenging to repair than acute tears. Surgical treatment has been the gold standard and has remained unchanged for several years. Our technique helps the patient in restoring the extensor mechanism of the knee and early return to his functional activities and thus protecting his knee from developing arthritis and instability.

Conclusion: This is a case series which includes ten cases with adequate follow-up. The main objective of this procedure was to restore the patient's ability to extend and flex his knees without lag and return to day-to-day life by a single sitting definitive procedure without any implant in situ.