IMPORTANT: We currently have a number of bugs related to image cropping and are actively trying to resolve them. In the meantime, we have disabled cropping. Apologies for any inconvenience. Stay informed: radiopaedia.org/chat

Patellar tendon rupture

Case contributed by Craig Hacking
Diagnosis certain

Presentation

Pain and swelling after injury.

Patient Data

Age: 55 years
Gender: Female
x-ray

There is a large knee joint effusion without lipohemarthrosis. There is also significant soft tissue swelling within the prepatellar region. Small avulsion fracture of the inferior pole of the patella with superior displacement of the patella suggesting either a patellar tendon rupture or a patellar sleeve avulsion. A linear ossified fragment projected adjacent to the medial femoral condyle may represent a Pellegrini-Stieda lesion.

ct

The patellar tendon is ruptured at its upper margin. Small bony fragments in the anterolateral soft tissues is surrounded by a lot of soft tissue fluid are continuous with the upper torn margin of the patellar ligament (best seen in the axial soft tissue window) with a possible corresponding donor site on the inferolateral margin of the patella. This is in keeping with a patellar avulsion fracture.

There is a small cortical fracture demonstrated arising from the medial femoral condyle at the location of the MCL attachment with adjacent soft tissue edema and stranding.

There are is a large hemarthrosis.

There are moderate degenerative changes with osteophytic lipping.

Case Discussion

Pt was transferred to another center for surgery.

How to use cases

You can use Radiopaedia cases in a variety of ways to help you learn and teach.

Creating your own cases is easy.

Updating… Please wait.

 Unable to process the form. Check for errors and try again.

 Thank you for updating your details.