Combined avulsion fracture of the tibial tubercle and patellar tendon rupture in adolescents: a case report.

Simultaneous occurrence of tibial tubercle fracture and patellar tendon avulsion is an extremely rare condition. However, they have become more frequent due to increased participation in sports at a younger age. Diagnosis is not always straightforward, and treatment consists of open reduction and internal fixation. Only a few case reports of such injuries were reported in the literature with limited information according to diagnoses, treatment, and outcome in adolescents.

Simultaneous bilateral versus unilateral tibial tubercle fractures.

PURPOSE: Tibial tubercle/tuberosity fractures are rare injuries in young patients accounting for less than one percent of physeal fractures. Bilateral simultaneous fractures are even rarer, with only a few case reports in literature. The purpose of our study was to describe the largest case series of bilateral simultaneous tibial tuberosity avulsion fractures and compare it with unilateral fractures. We also wanted to compare our bilateral fractures case series with all the cases reported in the last 65 years. METHODS: IRB approved retrospective study involving patients under age 18 years with tibial tuberosity avulsion fractures. Bilateral simultaneous fractures were compared to a unilateral group including demographic data, mechanism of injury, clinical exam findings, complication rates, and outcomes including return to function. Statistical analysis was performed using Mann-Whitney and Fisher Exact tests to compare the different groups. RESULTS: 138 patients (131 males, 7 females) from a tertiary children's hospital between 2012 and 2019 with tibial tuberosity avulsion fractures were included. 11 bilateral simultaneous fractures (BL Group) were identified and compared to age matched cohort from the 127 unilateral fracture patients (UL group). There was no significant difference found in BMI, height, weight, age, sex, mechanism of injury, return to functional range of motion, and return to sports between the groups. 7/11 (63%) of the patients in the BL group who sustained simultaneous fractures had to be home bound and could not attend school for an average of 8.3 weeks. There was a higher rate of complications in the BL group (63.3%) compared to the UL group (21.1%), which was statistically significant. The most common complications in the bilateral group were hardware removal and wound dehiscence. CONCLUSION: This first case series comparing unilateral versus bilateral simultaneous tibial tuberosity avulsion fractures suggests that the final outcomes of the two groups are similar, however it shows a significantly higher complication rate and hardware removal rate in the BL group. This study is also the first to highlight the significant initial morbidity in the BL fracture group with issues with regards to early mobility and loss of school-days. Keeping in mind the profound initial impact the bilateral injury poses to the patient; surgeons can possibly plan for rigid fixation for early mobilization to better prepare bilateral fracture patients for the early post-operative recovery process.

Traumatic Rupture of the Patellar Tendon From the Tibial Tuberosity in an Adult: A Case Report.

Patellar tendon ruptures from the tibial tuberosity are very uncommon. Various surgical techniques are described for patellar tendon ruptures from the tibial tuberosity. A 58-year-old male without any predisposing factors had pain and swelling in the right knee due to a road traffic accident. Tense swelling and ecchymosis were present around the right knee with a palpable defect over the patellar tendon and an inability to extend the right knee. An MRI report revealed avulsion of the distal patellar tendon from the tibial tubercle insertion and medial meniscus tear. Primary repair was done with a double-loaded suture anchor and augmentation was done by using a Gracilis tendon. After the months, the knee range of motion (ROM) of the patient reached up to 90 degrees, and there was no extension lag on straight leg raise. Hamstring augmentation with a primary repair is the safest and a good surgical option in elderly patients with patellar tendon ruptures from the tibial tuberosity.

Repair of Patellar Tendon Avulsion from the Tibial Tubercle: Case Report.

INTRODUCTION: Pre-existing conditions and surgical interventions, such as those associated with Osgood-Schlatter disease, can lead to atypical patellar tendon ruptures. These cases can present irregularly and be challenging to diagnose. Patellar tendon rupture from the tibial tubercle insertion region is a rare, and currently undocumented condition, requiring surgical intervention to restore knee joint functionality for daily activities. This presentation requires a unique treatment approach, as standard reconstruction techniques do not apply. CASE REPORT: A 65-year-old Caucasian male, with a remote history of gout and surgical intervention for symptomatic Osgood-Schlatter disease, suffered sudden hyperflexion with eccentric contraction of the right knee while hiking. The patient presented with massive right knee effusion and significant tenderness over the tibial tubercle, with an inability to extend the knee. After radiographs were inconclusive, magnetic resonance imaging was performed showing a tear of the medial aspect of the distal patellar tendon. CONCLUSION: Surgical intervention for Osgood-Schlatter disease can be a potential risk factor for patellar tendon rupture from the tibial tubercle. Since a variety of surgical interventions for symptomatic Osgood-Schlatter disease exist, it is important to consider the long-term effects and counsel patients on the associated risks of the procedures. Initial diagnosis of patellar tendon rupture can be surprisingly challenging when the presentation is atypical. Attention to detail during physical examination and evaluation of imaging is a necessity for early detection and treatment, which can afford excellent functional outcomes.

Combined Tibial Tubercle Fracture and Patellar Tendon Avulsion: Surgical Technique and Case Report.

INTRODUCTION: Isolated tibial tubercle fractures or patellar tendon ruptures are common injuries in adolescents. However, combined tubercle fractures with patellar tendon ruptures are rare, and hence, there are no definitive methods of surgical fixation or post-operative protocols. CASE REPORT: A 13-year-old healthy girl sustained an extensor mechanism injury after the left knee hyperflexion during a fall from skateboarding. On examination, the extensor mechanism was not functional against gravity. Radiographic imaging revealed a displaced tibial tubercle fracture with patella alta, and magnetic resonance imaging revealed a concomitant patellar tendon avulsion from the tubercle. From a supine position on a radiolucent table, under general anesthesia and a femoral nerve block, the tibial tubercle fracture was fixed using two fully-threaded cortical screws. The patellar tendon was repaired with Fiber Wire through the Krakow method and secured through a tibial transosseous tunnel. A supplemental Fiber Wire was passed through a patellar tunnel and into a tibial tunnel to mitigate tension on the tendon repair. Post-operative knee motion was limited for 1 week to 60° of passive flexion, and full weight-bearing was permitted in a knee immobilizer. CONCLUSION: Given the rarity of this combined extensor mechanism injury in adolescents and despite several different fixation methods reported in the literature, there is no clearly superior surgical technique. This case demonstrates a technique allowing for stability of the tubercle fracture and robust repair of the patellar tendon that permits early range of motion and weight-bearing.

Acute traumatic rupture of the patellar tendon in pediatric population: Case series and review of the literature.

BACKGROUND: Intact knee extensor mechanism is required for the normal function of the lower extremity. Patellar tendon rupture is a relatively rare injury with peak age incidence around 40 years and usually occurs midsubstance. The occurrence of pure patellar tendon rupture without bony avulsion is an extremely rare injury in the pediatric population with few cases reported in the literature with limited information regarding frequency, complications, and outcomes in children. However, due to increased participation in sports and high-energy recreational activities during childhood, the frequency of such injuries has progressively increased. OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the frequency of pediatric patellar tendon rupture injuries and describe the radiological findings, treatment modalities, and outcome of such injuries. METHODS: Demographic and clinical data on a series of patients who sustained patellar tendon rupture were reviewed. These data included age at time of injury, sex, laterality, mechanism of injury, associated injuries, complications, presence or absence of Osgood-Schlatter disease, diagnostic imaging such as plain radiographs and magnetic resonance images (MRI), surgical technique, method of fixation, period of postoperative immobilization, total duration of physiotherapy, time to return to sports activities and follow-up duration. Insall-Salvati ratio was calculated on the preoperative lateral x-ray. The functional outcome was evaluated with regard to final knee active range of motion (AROM), manual quadriceps muscle testing, and presence or the absence of terminal extension lag. Clinical outcome rating using knee society score (KSS) was performed and functional outcome was further classified according to the calculated score. RESULTS: Five male patients with patellar tendon rupture (7%) were identified among 71 pediatric patients who sustained acute traumatic injury of the knee extensor mechanism. The mean age at the time of injury was 13.6 years (range: 12-15 years). The injury occurred in relation to sports activities in 4 patients. Osteogenesis imperfecta and Osgood-Schlatter disease were identified in 2 patients. High riding patella is the hallmark diagnostic sign detected in plain x-ray with preoperative Insall-Salvati ratio ranged from 1.7 to 2.5. Three patients had pure soft tissue avulsion distally from the proximal tibia, 1 patient had pure soft tissue avulsion proximally from the inferior patellar pole, and 1 patient with midsubstance tendinous disruption. No associated intra-articular lesions were identified. Suture bridge double row technique, transpatellar suturing, and transosseous suturing through the proximal tibia were used for patellar tendon reinsertion. After a mean follow-up period of 18. 4 weeks (range: 10-30 weeks), patients achieved AROM ranging from 0 to 120° to 0-137° without terminal extension lag. The mean time to return to sports activity was 22 weeks (range: 13-30 weeks). Quadriceps muscle strength was 5/5 at the final follow-up visit in all patients; however, relative muscle atrophy was noted in comparison to the other side in one patient. The mean KSS was 91.8 points (range: 79-100 points) with excellent outcome in 4 patients and good outcome in 1 patient. CONCLUSION: Patellar tendon rupture is rare in the pediatric population and represents 7% of pediatric patients who sustained acute traumatic injury of the knee extensor mechanism. Ruptures may occur midsubstance, or from proximal or distal insertions. High riding patella is the hallmark diagnostic sign for such injury. Although rare, it is considered a serious injury that necessitates early diagnosis and surgical intervention. Functional range of motion was obtained in all patients with different modalities of treatment.