Quadriceps Tendon Rupture
 

Author: Derek Stokes, MD
Affiliation: University of Utah
Co Author(s): Dan Cushman, MD
Senior Editor: Wesley Troyer, DO

Clinical Vignette: 51-year-old male with acute onset severe knee pain after attempting to snap a branch with a stomping mechanism while camping. Patient reported that the branch "hit him in the knee". Patient was evaluated and placed in a hinged knee brace locked in extension at an outside ED and referred to clinic. Clinical evaluation 3 days later identified diffuse ecchymosis and palpable defect proximal to the left patella along with a knee extensor lag.

Type of Probe Used: 15-4 linear transducer

View Video

Left side of the picture is distal and LAX orientation f the quadriceps tendon and shows a complete disruption of the normal fibrillar architecture of the proximal stump of the quadriceps tendon (white asterisk) from the superior patellar attachment (yellow asterisk) with mixed hyper and hypoechogenicity present. Cortical irregularities of the superior aspect of the patella are present.
View Video

Left side of the picture is distal and LAX orientation f the quadriceps tendon and shows a complete disruption of the normal fibrillar architecture of the proximal stump of the quadriceps tendon (white asterisk) from the superior patellar attachment (yellow asterisk) with mixed hyper and hypoechogenicity present. Cortical irregularities of the superior aspect of the patella are present.
View Video

The quadriceps tendon was identified in short axis proximally with abrupt loss of architecture distally associated with mixed hyper and hypoechogenicity.


Sagittal cut of the knee MRI confirming quadriceps tendon discontinuity/ rupture.


Left side of the picture is distal and shows a complete disruption of the normal fibrillar architecture of the proximal stump of the quadriceps tendon (white asterisk) from the superior patellar attachment (yellow asterisk) with mixed hyper and hypoechogenicity present. Cortical irregularities of the superior aspect of the patella present.


Short axis image of quadriceps tendon showing loss of tendon continuity

NOTE: For more information, please contact the AMSSM, 4000 W. 114th Street, Suite 100, Leawood, KS 66211 (913) 327-1415.
 

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Phone: 913.327.1415


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