The present study aimed to determine whether distinct sets of tendon properties are seen in athletes engaged in sports with contrasting requirements for tendon function and structural integrity. Patellar and Achilles tendon morphology and force-deformation relation were measured by combining ultrasonography, electromyography and dynamometry in elite ski jumpers, distance runners, water polo pla...

Nineteen consecutive patients undergoing anterior cruciate ligament reconstruction using the central third of the ipsilateral patellar tendon were included in the study. Serial magnetic resonance images revealed that the donor-site gap in the tendon decreased with time (mean follow-up, 26 months). The thickness was significantly increased compared with the intact contralateral patellar tendon, ...

This article presents a case of a large inferior patellar osteophyte, which developed after patellar tendon autograft anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) reconstruction. This extensive osteophyte formed a neo-articulation with the tibial plateau and contributed to arthrofibrosis, patellar baja, and patellar pain. This is an extremely unusual complication following patellar tendon harvesting for AC...

BACKGROUND Patellar tendinopathy is a common condition affecting the posterior region of the proximal patellar tendon, but the reason for this typical location remains unclear. HYPOTHESIS The posterior region of the proximal patellar tendon is subjected to greater tendinous forces than is the corresponding anterior region. STUDY DESIGN Descriptive laboratory study. METHOD An optic fiber t...

BACKGROUND The aim of this study was to evaluate the patellar height and degenerative changes of the knee by radiographic assessment after patellar tendon reconstruction for chronic anterior cruciate ligament deficiency. METHODS This series included 44 patients (44 knees) with an average age of 31 years and an average follow up of 58 months. The central one third of the patellar bone-tendon-b...

Patellar tendon ruptures are rare but potentially devastating injuries. Acute repair after patellar tendon rupture affords the best opportunity for tension-free restoration of the extensor mechanism. Biological augmentation of primary repair is believed to decrease strain across the repair site and reduce the risk of rerupture. We present a technique for primary patellar tendon repair with bidi...

Background Ultrasonographic abnormalities of the patellar tendon frequently occur in asymptomatic athletes and it is not always clear whether they precede (and may predict) the development of tendinopathy. Objective This study aimed to investigate by ultrasonography the prevalence of patellar tendon abnormalities in players of "pallapugno" and to establish whether structural tendon abnormalit...

BACKGROUND Patellar tendinosis (PT), or "jumper's knee" is a common condition in athletes participating in jumping sports, and is characterised by proximal patellar tendon pain and focal tenderness to palpation. Hypoechoic lesions observed in the proximal patellar tendon associated with the tendinosis are typically described as being a result of degenerative change or "failed healing". We propo...

Patellar tendon ruptures are rare but very invalidating lesions. We describe a case of re-rupture of a sutured patellar tendon. An autologous semitendinosus graft was used for tendon augmentation in the reconstruction procedure. This technique uses an easy-to-harvest graft which has low donor site morbidity. Additionally, the strength of the graft allows early rehabilitation, and no further sur...

Macrotraumatic extensor mechanism complications do occur after central third patellar tendon harvest for anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) reconstruction and include intraor postoperative patella fracture and patellar tendon rupture. These are significant complications that often require additional surgery. Intraoperative precision when harvesting the patellar tendon, bone grafting the donor sit...