Rupture of the patellar tendon after use of its central third

Abstract

The authors, in performing anterior cruciate ligament reconstruction, have been using the central third of the patella tendon with a connected piece of patella for a transfer. In this paper they report a case in which the residual patella tendon itself ruptured and required a subsequent repair. The technique of repair is described. Diagnosis of the rupture was difficult. The authors also describe an experimental technique for assessing derangement of the knee.