Long-term functional outcomes after primary surgical repair of acute and chronic patellar tendon rupture: Series of 25 patients

Abstract Objective We aimed to evaluate the clinical outcomes after surgical repair of patellar tendon rupture (PTR) and compare the evolution of 2 types of rupture (acute and chronic) after the same rehabilitation protocol. Methods This was a prospective cohort study of patients with PTR treated between January 2006 and January 2014 in the department of trauma surgery, Ibn Rochd university hospital, Casablanca. Results We evaluated 25 patients (21 men) after a median follow-up of 75 months (range 29–120). The mean age was 34.7 ± 8.59 years. Overall, 17 patients had acute rupture and 8 chronic rupture. Fifteen healthy volunteers (13 men) were recruited as a control group. Mean Knee Society Score (KSS) knee score was significantly higher after than before surgery (82.28 ± 12.297 vs 20.64 ± 7.6; P < 0.0001) as was KSS function score (88.40 ± 17.483 vs 23.40 ± 8.98; P < 0.0001). Pain measured on a visual analog scale was significantly lower after than before surgery (1.96 ± 1.24 vs 6.60 ± 1.26; P < 0.0001). ROM and KSS knee and function scores were significantly lower on the operated than non-operated side after surgery. For both types of PTR, only knee extensor muscle strength was significantly lower on the operated than non-operated side and as compared with healthy volunteer knees. Conclusions Surgical repair of PTR with reinforcement and an early rehabilitation program demonstrate good results after a long follow-up. However, chronic PTR may need longer or a different rehabilitation protocol of the knee-extensor apparatus.