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Patella tendon rupture

Case contributed by Dai Roberts
Diagnosis probable

Presentation

Fall, anterior knee pain. Unable to straight leg raise.

Patient Data

Age: 60 years
Gender: Female
x-ray

Patella alta, with soft tissue swelling inferior to the patella.  Combined with the examination findings, features most in keeping with a complete patella tendon tear.

Case Discussion

Patella alta, or a high riding patella, can be a congenital finding, or if acute and associated with an inability to straight leg raise, more likely due to a complete patella tendon tear.  

Many debate the 'more' correct terminology, between a patella ligament and a patella tendon.  The patella bone is a sesamoid bone, so many will deem the patella tendon 'a tendon', as it is a continuation of the quadriceps muscle group and quadriceps tendon, to then insert on to the tibial tubercle.  

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