Disruption of the knee extensor apparatus complicating anterior cruciate ligament reconstruction

Abstract

Disruption of the knee extensor apparatus, after harvesting the central third of the patellar tendon for a bone-tendon-bone autograft, is a rare complication. We made 2215 reconstructions of the anterior cruciate ligament of the knee using bone-patellar tendon-bone technique, and 10 patients had fracture of the patella (0.45%), and fore patients had rupture of the patellar tendon (0.18%). The fracture of the patella in two patients was treated nonoperatively and 8 patients was treated with operative reduction and osteosynthesis. Reconstruction of the patellar ligament in four patients with a rupture of patellar tendon (0.18%) was performed by a technique previously published with BTB allograft taken from the local bone bank. The mean Lysholm score was 90 (85-100), and all of them have continued to engage in sporting activities. In all patients the Lachman test was with the firm stop compared to the other leg. X-ray changes in the patella were found in 2 patients, who had multifragmentary fractures of the patella. Disruption of the knee extensor apparatus, after harvesting the central third of the patellar tendon for a bone-tendon-bone autograft, can be prevented by avoiding to take too much bone graft, by using the most precise tools for cutting, while rehabilitation must be carefully planned. The optimal treatment disruption of the knee extensor apparatus after the reconstruction of the anterior cruciate ligament is a operative reconstruction, which allows continuation of the rehabilitation program.