Jumping or Explosive Takeoff
The tendon may rupture during a forceful jump when the quadriceps contracts explosively and places a sudden load across the patellar tendon.
Urgent Knee Injury Evaluation
Patellar Tendon Tear Surgery in Atlanta
Unable to straighten your knee after jumping, landing or a sudden athletic injury? A complete patellar tendon rupture disrupts the knee's extensor mechanism and often requires prompt surgical repair before the tendon retracts.
Knee specialists serving Atlanta, Decatur, Snellville, Loganville, DeKalb County, Gwinnett County and Walton County
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Suspected patellar tendon tears should be evaluated quickly.
Time allows the torn tendon to retract away from the kneecap and scar tissue to form. Prompt diagnosis gives the orthopedic surgeon a better opportunity to restore the tendon to its normal position and tension with a primary repair.
What Is a Patellar Tendon Tear?
The patellar tendon is the strong band of tissue connecting the bottom of the patella, or kneecap, to the tibia, or shinbone. It is an essential part of the knee's extensor mechanism.
The extensor mechanism includes the quadriceps muscles, quadriceps tendon, kneecap and patellar tendon. Together, these structures allow you to straighten the knee, perform a straight-leg raise, stand upright, jump and control the leg during walking.
In a complete patellar tendon rupture, the connection between the kneecap and shinbone is interrupted. The quadriceps can no longer effectively transmit force through the kneecap to straighten the lower leg.
Why losing the extensor mechanism is so serious
Straightening the knee is a major component of safe walking. Without a functioning extensor mechanism, the knee may buckle unexpectedly because the quadriceps cannot adequately control it. This causes significant instability and makes standing, walking, climbing stairs and getting out of a chair difficult or unsafe.
Unable to perform a straight-leg raise?
The inability to lift the entire leg while keeping the knee straight is one of the most concerning findings after an acute knee injury. Call our office for an urgent orthopedic evaluation.
How Does a Patellar Tendon Rupture Happen?
Patellar tendon ruptures often occur in younger and more active patients than quadriceps tendon tears. The injury commonly occurs when the quadriceps contracts forcefully during jumping, landing or a sudden change in direction.
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Landing or Sudden Deceleration
A hard landing, rapid stop or unexpected change in direction can forcefully bend the knee while the quadriceps is contracting.
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Prior Patellar Tendinitis
Chronic patellar tendinitis, also called patellar tendinopathy or jumper's knee, can weaken and degenerate the tendon over time before a final rupture occurs.
Symptoms of a Torn Patellar Tendon
Patients frequently describe a sudden pop or tearing sensation below the kneecap during a jump, landing or athletic movement. This is often followed by pain, swelling and immediate difficulty using the leg.
Some patients can still take a few steps with the knee locked straight, but the leg may buckle as soon as the knee begins to bend. The ability to walk does not rule out a complete patellar tendon rupture.
Unable to actively straighten the knee
Unable to perform a straight-leg raise
Sudden pop or pain below the kneecap
Swelling and bruising around the knee
A gap or indentation below the patella
Knee buckling, weakness or instability
How is a patellar tendon tear diagnosed?
The examination focuses on the ability to perform a straight-leg raise and actively extend the knee. X-rays help evaluate the position of the kneecap and rule out a fracture. MRI or ultrasound may be used when the examination is unclear or when a partial patellar tendon tear is suspected.
Patellar Tendinitis and Patellar Tendon Rupture
A patellar tendon can rupture without warning, but some patients have experienced pain and tendon degeneration before the final injury.
Patellar tendinitis, more accurately called patellar tendinopathy, commonly causes pain at the lower portion of the kneecap. It is often associated with repetitive jumping, landing, sprinting and rapid changes in direction.
Repetitive stress can create progressive tendon degeneration and small areas of tearing. The tendon may continue functioning for a period of time but become less capable of tolerating a sudden explosive load.
A patient may notice months of pain during basketball, volleyball, running, squatting or jumping before feeling a sudden pop. In other cases, the rupture may appear to occur without significant warning.
A sudden pop is different from routine jumper's knee
Chronic tendon soreness may improve with rest and rehabilitation. A sudden pop followed by immediate weakness, knee buckling or loss of the straight-leg raise requires prompt evaluation for a complete tendon rupture.
Patellar Tendon Tear Treatment
Treatment depends on whether the tear is partial or complete and whether the patient can still actively straighten the knee.
When Is Patellar Tendon Surgery Necessary?
Small partial tears with an intact extensor mechanism may sometimes be treated with a knee brace, temporary activity restrictions and progressive physical therapy. The patient must still be able to actively straighten the knee against gravity.
Complete patellar tendon ruptures usually require surgery because the tendon is no longer adequately connecting the kneecap to the shinbone. Without repair, meaningful weakness, knee buckling and loss of walking stability are expected to persist.
Early patellar tendon repair is generally preferred
As the injury becomes older, the tendon may retract, shorten and develop scar tissue. Delayed or chronic tears may require a larger operation, tendon lengthening, tissue augmentation or graft reconstruction rather than a straightforward primary repair.
Urgent orthopedic evaluation
The knee surgeon evaluates patellar tendon continuity, the straight-leg raise and the overall function of the extensor mechanism.
Repair to the kneecap
Heavy sutures are placed through the torn tendon and secured to the lower portion of the patella using bone tunnels, anchors or a combination of fixation techniques.
Restore kneecap position and tendon tension
The tendon is returned to its appropriate position so the extensor mechanism can eventually regain control of active knee extension.
Protect the repair while it heals
A knee brace and controlled rehabilitation protect the repaired patellar tendon during the early healing phase.
Recovery After Patellar Tendon Repair
Recovery is gradual because the repaired tendon must heal securely before knee motion and strengthening can be advanced. Each postoperative plan is individualized based on the injury, tendon quality and strength of the repair.
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Protected Weight Bearing
Many patients can place weight on the leg with the knee locked straight in a brace. Crutches or a walker may initially be used for balance and safety.
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First 6 Weeks
Knee range of motion is limited and gradually advanced according to the surgeon's protocol. Excessive bending and forceful quadriceps activity must be avoided while the tendon begins to heal.
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Progressive Physical Therapy
After the early healing phase, physical therapy progressively restores knee motion, walking mechanics, muscle activation and quadriceps strength.
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Long-Term Recovery
Regaining strength, jumping ability and athletic confidence takes time. Return to running, sports or demanding work requires a gradual, structured progression.
Patellar tendon repair is not a quick recovery. Patients must protect the repair early, regain motion gradually and rebuild substantial quadriceps strength over time. Return to running and jumping generally occurs much later than return to routine walking.
Frequently Asked Questions About Patellar Tendon Tears
Is a patellar tendon tear an emergency?
It is not always an emergency-room emergency, but a suspected complete patellar tendon rupture should receive prompt orthopedic evaluation. Early diagnosis is important because the tendon can retract and become more difficult to repair over time.
Can jumping cause a patellar tendon rupture?
Yes. Patellar tendon tears may occur during an explosive jump, forceful takeoff, awkward landing or sudden deceleration. The injury often occurs as the quadriceps contracts while the knee is bending.
Can patellar tendinitis lead to a tendon rupture?
Chronic patellar tendinopathy can weaken and degenerate the tendon. Some patients experience anterior knee pain or jumper's knee before a final rupture, although an acute rupture can also occur without significant warning.
Can I walk with a torn patellar tendon?
Some patients can walk with the knee locked completely straight, but the knee may buckle when it begins to bend. The ability to take a few steps does not rule out a complete patellar tendon rupture.
Can a complete patellar tendon rupture heal without surgery?
A complete rupture generally does not restore normal extensor mechanism function without surgical repair. Nonsurgical treatment is more commonly considered for selected partial tears when active knee extension remains intact.
How soon should patellar tendon surgery be performed?
The exact timing depends on swelling, medical readiness and the details of the injury, but prompt repair is generally preferred before substantial tendon retraction and scar formation occur.
Can I put weight on my leg after patellar tendon repair?
Many patients are permitted to bear weight while wearing a brace locked in full extension. The exact weight-bearing plan depends on the repair and the surgeon's postoperative protocol.
How much can I bend my knee after surgery?
Knee bending is restricted during the early postoperative period. Range of motion is usually advanced gradually during the first six weeks and beyond to protect the healing tendon.
How long does recovery take after patellar tendon repair?
The tendon requires several weeks of protected healing, followed by progressive motion, physical therapy and strengthening. Functional recovery takes months, and return to running or jumping sports may take considerably longer.
Where can I see a knee surgeon for a patellar tendon tear near Atlanta?
Atlanta Bone and Joint Specialists evaluates acute knee injuries and patellar tendon ruptures at offices in Decatur, Snellville and Loganville, serving patients throughout Atlanta and the East Metro region.
Cannot Straighten Your Knee After Jumping or Landing? Call Us Now.
Tell our scheduling team that you may have a patellar tendon rupture, cannot perform a straight-leg raise or developed sudden knee buckling after a jump or athletic injury. We prioritize urgent orthopedic injuries and will make every effort to arrange a same-day evaluation when time and availability permit.
Patellar tendon tear evaluation and knee surgery for patients in Atlanta, Decatur, Snellville, Loganville, DeKalb County, Gwinnett County, Walton County and surrounding East Metro Atlanta communities.