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Extensor Mechanism Injuries: Quadriceps and Patellar Tendon Ruptures

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Orthopedic Surgery Clerkship

Abstract

Lower extremity extensor mechanism injuries are relatively infrequent; however, when they do occur, they require surgical intervention in a timely manner to prevent serious functional limitations. Generally, these tendon injuries are divided into quadriceps tendon and patellar tendon injuries. Quadriceps tendon injuries are more common and generally occur in older patients (>40 years old), while patellar tendon injuries occur more commonly in younger patients (<40 years old). Both types of injuries occur mainly in patients with preexisting tendon degenerative changes. Other risk factors include steroid use, chronic disease (renal failure, diabetes, rheumatologic disorders, connective tissue disorders), and repetitive knee injections. Primary surgical repair is the treatment of choice in the majority of cases of complete tendon rupture. More complex surgical procedures are necessary for chronic tendon rupture. Outcomes are often good in low-demand patients if treatment is performed in the acute setting. For higher-demand patients, return to pre-injury activity level is less predictable.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Orthopaedics, The Ohio State University Wexner Medical Center, Columbus, OH, USA

    David C. Flanigan, Joshua Troyer & Joshua S. Everhart

  2. Department of Orthopedic Surgery, Herbert Wertheim College of Medicine at Florida International University, Coral Gables, FL, USA

    John W. Uribe

  3. Herbert Wertheim College of Medicine at Florida International University, Miami, FL, USA

    Eric Wherley

  4. Department of Orthopedics, West Kendall Baptist Hospital, Miami, FL, USA

    Gautam P. Yagnik

Authors
  1. David C. Flanigan
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  2. Joshua Troyer
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  3. Joshua S. Everhart
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  4. John W. Uribe
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  5. Eric Wherley
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  6. Gautam P. Yagnik
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Corresponding author

Correspondence to David C. Flanigan .

Editor information

Editors and Affiliations

  1. Warren Alpert Medical School, Brown University, Providence, Rhode Island, USA

    Adam E. M. Eltorai

  2. Department of Orthopedic Surgery, Division of Pediatric Surgery, Warren Alpert Medical School of Brown University, Providence, Rhode Island, USA

    Craig P. Eberson

  3. Department of Orthopaedic Surgery, Division of Spine Surgery, Rhode Island Hospital, Providence, Rhode Island, USA

    Alan H. Daniels

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Flanigan, D.C., Troyer, J., Everhart, J.S., Uribe, J.W., Wherley, E., Yagnik, G.P. (2017). Extensor Mechanism Injuries: Quadriceps and Patellar Tendon Ruptures. In: Eltorai, A., Eberson, C., Daniels, A. (eds) Orthopedic Surgery Clerkship. Springer, Cham. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-319-52567-9_68

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-319-52567-9_68

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  • Publisher Name: Springer, Cham

  • Print ISBN: 978-3-319-52565-5

  • Online ISBN: 978-3-319-52567-9

  • eBook Packages: MedicineMedicine (R0)

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