- See:
- Rupture of the Quadriceps
- Patellar Tendon Injury
- Tibial Tubercle Frx
- Discussion:
- extensor mechanism includes quadriceps, quadriceps tendon, medial & lateral retinaculum, patellofemoral and patellotibial ligaments, Patellar Tendon (ligament), and tibial tubercle;
- superficial location of extensor mechanism make it suseptable to injury;
- extensor mechanism rupture may involve either the quadriceps tendon or patellar ligament and may be either partial or complete;
- complete rupture is rare in young athlete unless assoc w/ steroids;
- patellar ligament ruptures usually occur in pts < 40 yrs of age & quads tendon ruptures in pts older than 40 years of age;
- risk factors:
- RA, long-term diabetes mellitus, and long-term steroid use;
- Diff Dx:
- Osgood-Schlatter disease, Sindig-Larsen-Johanssen dz
- consider anatomic malalignment: Chondromalacia
- MVA (dashboard injury);
- patellofemoral arthritis in those over 40 yrs;
- disproportionate extensor mechanism pain: following trauma or surgery consider sympathetic dystrophy;
- disproportionate pain, stiffness, skin discoloration, & decreased skin temperature
Evaluation of the Medial Soft-Tissue Restraints of the Extensor Mechanism of the Knee.
The effect of external load on torque production by knee extensors.
Evaluation of the medial soft-tissue restraints of the extensor mechanism of the knee.