Quadriceps Tear

Article by Dr. Darren R Keiser MD

The quadriceps tendon works with the muscles in the front of your thigh — the quadriceps — to straighten your leg. Although anyone can injure the quadriceps tendon, tears are more common among middle-aged people who play running or jumping sports. A complete tear of the quadriceps tendon is a disabling injury. It usually requires surgery to regain full knee function.

Description

Quadriceps tendon tears can be either partial or complete. Partial tears. Many tears do not completely disrupt the soft tissue. This is similar to a rope stretched so far that some of the fibers are torn, but the rope is still in one piece. Complete tears. A complete tear will split the soft tissue into two pieces.

Symptoms

> An indentation at the top of your kneecap where the tendon tore > Bruising > Tenderness > Cramping > Your kneecap may sag or droop because the tendon is torn > You are unable to straighten your knee > Difficulty walking due to the knee buckling or giving way **Call the office of Dr. Darren Keiser to set up an appointment Article URL: http://orthoinfo.aaos.org/topic.cfm?topic=A00294