Allograft of the knee extensor in cases of patellar tendon rupture in total arthroplasty patients

Objective

Retrospective study to evaluate the functional results of patients with total knee arthroplasty and rupture of the patellar tendon, submitted to transplantation of the extensor knee apparatus with fresh frozen allograft.

Method

Nine patients, operated between 2003 and 2015, with a minimum of one year of follow-up. All patients were reviewed by performing a functional evaluation using the Knee Society score. Preoperative values were compared with those of the final evaluation.

Results

Mean survival was 2.7 ± 1.9 years (14–1). The knee score improved from 38 ± 4.5 to 70 ± 8.5, and functional score from 30 ± 6.5 to 90 ± 3.5. Mean extension deficit was 5 (1–15). Mean range of motion was 80 (60–100).

Conclusion

The use of allograft is a solution for extreme cases of patellar rupture after total knee arthroplasty, providing reasonable functional results and representing an alternative to knee arthrodesis.