Bilateral Distal Patellar Tendon Rupture in a 10-Year-Old Child: A Case Report and Review of the Literature.

Abstract

Background: Patellar tendon rupture is a rare lesion that usually occurs in adult patients with predisposing factors. The condition is even rarer in pediatric populations and presents either as a sleeve fracture of the patella's inferior pole or as an avulsion of the tibial tubercle. The present report describes the case of a healthy 10-year-old female with bilateral, purely tendinous distal avulsions of her patellar tendons and considers her clinical presentation, treatment, and the clinical outcome.

Methods: A 10-year-old female was admitted to Geneva University Hospitals and diagnosed with bilateral patellar tendon ruptures. The patient underwent bilateral tendon repair using four anchor sutures for each tendon and augmentation with a transpatellar metallic wire.

Results: Postsurgical follow-up out to 1 year showed good results, with the restoration of a full range of motion, an absence of pain, and a complete return to sports activities.

Conclusion: This case report describes the very rare bilateral rupture of an otherwise healthy 10-year-old female's patellar tendons in their soft tissue substance. It details the treatment, follow-up, and positive outcome.