What is Patella Tendon Rupture?

Patella tendon rupture is the rupture of the tendon that connects the patella (kneecap) to the top portion of the tibia (shinbone). The patellar tendon works together with the quadriceps muscle and the quadriceps tendon to allow your knee to straighten out.

Causes of Patella Tendon Rupture

Patellar tendon tear most commonly occurs in middle-aged people who participate in sports which involve jumping and running. Patellar tendon can be ruptured due to several reasons such as by a fall, direct blow to the knee, or landing on the foot awkwardly from a jump. Other causes include patellar tendonitis (inflammation of patellar tendon), diseases such as rheumatoid arthritis, diabetes mellitus, infection, and chronic renal failure. Use of medications such as steroids can cause increased muscle and tendon weakness.

Symptoms of Patella Tendon Rupture

When the patellar tendon tears, the patella may lose its anchoring support to the tibia, as a result, when the quadriceps muscle contracts the patella may move up into the thigh. You are unable to straighten your knee and upon standing the knee buckles upon itself. In addition to this you may have pain, swelling, tenderness, a tearing or popping sensation, bruising and cramping.

Patellar tendon tear can be a partial or a complete tear.

In a partial tear, some of the fibers in the tendon are torn, but the soft tissue is not damaged.

In a complete tear, the soft tissues are disrupted into two pieces.