Bifocal Disruption of the Patellar Tendon with Avulsion of the Tibial Tuberosity: A Case Report

1. INTRODUCTION

The patellar tendon is a ligament connecting bone to bone. It originates from the anterior aspect of the inferior pole of the patella and inserts into the tibial tuberosity [1]. Disruption of the knee extensor system is a common injury; patellar tendon rupture is the third most common cause of these injuries, followed by patellar fracture and quadriceps tendon rupture [2]. However, bifocal proximal and distal disruption of the patellar tendon is extremely rare in adults [3, 4]. Kang et al. classified the bifocal disruption of the knee extensor system into five types [3]. We report here, to our knowledge, the first case of bifocal proximal and distal rupture of the patellar tendon with avulsion of the tibial tuberosity.

2. REPORT OF THE CASE

A 38-year-old man with no prior history of knee injury presented to our clinic with severe anterior right knee pain. He fell down the stairs with the right knee abruptly bent. He had no significant medical history. Physical examination showed a dimple just below the inferior pole of the patella. Swelling and tenderness were observed around the tibial tuberosity. He could not extend the knee because of pain and muscle weakness. Plain radiographs showed an avulsion of the tibial tuberosity and high riding patella (Fig. 1A). The left knee showed a trace of Osgood-Schlatter disease (Fig. 1B). T2-weighted (T2W) magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) confirmed an avulsion of the tibial tuberosity and revealed concomitant avulsion of the patellar tendon (Fig. 2A). Fat-suppressed T2 weighted imaging (FS-T2W) showed no bone marrow edema around the tibial tuberosity (Fig. 2A). Computed tomography (CT) confirmed the avulsion of the tibial tuberosity. The fragment of the tibial tuberosity had a dull-edged margin; cortical bones were partially exposed (Fig. 2C). As these findings were inconsistent with a fresh fracture, the concomitant diagnosis was the bifocal disruption of the patellar tendon, and surgical repair was advised.

At 2 days post injury, the patient underwent surgery by longitudinal incision to expose the tibial tuberosity and patellar tendon. The patellar tendon had separated into two layers. The superficial layer had separated from the patellar origin, correlating with the MRI finding, while the deep layer had separated from the tibia (Fig. 3A). The fragment of the tibial tuberosity was attached to the medial portion of the deep layer. The detached side of the fragment, and the tibia, were coated with dense fibrous tissue (Fig. 3B). After decortication of the detached sites, autologous iliac bone grafts were inserted between the fragment and tibia. The tibial tuberosity was fixed with a cortical screw and a spike-washer (BIOMET®). Two sutures with Ethibonds (ETHICON) were secured bilaterally along the deep layer using the Bunnell suture technique. Two transverse drill holes were made just distal to the tuberosity and upper two-thirds of the patella. A figure-eight loop with a synthetic ligament (Ai-Medic), passed through the two holes, was made on the patellar surface to completely repair the deep layer (Fig. 3C). The superficial layer was sutured using the Bunnell suture technique with Ethibonds and secured after passing through a transverse drill hole in the patella (Fig. 3D).

Postoperatively, the knee was immobilized with a long leg cast for 1 week, and a rigid knee orthosis thereafter. Partial weight bearing and range of motion exercises were started at 4 weeks after surgery. Three months after surgery, the patient was permitted to remove the orthosis and returned to work. At the 6-month follow-up, T2W MRI showed that the fragment of the tibial tuberosity remained secure, and the patella tendon exhibited good tension (Fig. 4A). At the 12-month follow-up, plain x-ray showed complete bone union of the tibial tuberosity, and slight ossification of the patellar tendon (Fig. 4B). At the 18-month follow-up, the patient had regained a full range of motion with full working ability without pain. The Lysholm knee score was 100, and quadriceps strength assessed by manual muscle testing was normal. The patient provided consent for the publication of this case.

3. DISCUSSION

The most common injury of the knee extensor system is a patellar fracture, followed by quadriceps tendon or patellar tendon rupture [2]. Patellar tendon rupture usually occurs in young patients, especially those in their 20s [5, 6]. It occurs not only at the attachment of the patella, but also at the insertion on the tibial tubercle [7-10]. The tendon is weakened by microtrauma in athletes, steroid injections, and systemic diseases [7]. Avulsion of the tibial tuberosity is relatively rare and usually occurs in adolescents during growth spurts [11]. The injury is more common in men than in women, and an association with Osgood-Schlatter disease has been suggested [6, 11].

The mechanism of tibial tuberosity avulsion and patellar tendon rupture is a sudden contraction of the quadriceps in a flexed knee, or with a fixed foot [12, 13]. Few bifocal disruptions of the knee extensor system have been reported [4, 10, 12-17]. Kang et al. classified the bifocal disruption of the knee extensor system into five types [3]. The injury type in our study did not match any of these classifications, because of the potential relationship of Osgood-Schlatter disease with avulsion of the tibial tuberosity. Additionally, several common clinical features of other bifocal disruption cases were absent. FS T2W MR imaging techniques are most sensitive for the detection of bone marrow lesions owing to the increased dynamic range of contrast [18]. MRI showed no signal change in the tibia; if there was a fresh fracture of the tibial tuberosity, bone marrow edema should have been evident as a high-intensity area on fsT2W MRI. Furthermore, CT images showed a high-density area around the fragment that was consistent with the cortical bone. Bone density plays a crucial role with respect to the mechanical properties in cancellous and cortical structures. Bone density is defined in several ways, at either the bone tissue or the bone material level [19]. Additionally, the detached side of the fragment and the opposed side of the tibia were coated with dense fibrous tissues, not with cancellous bone. Ogden et al. reported that Osgood-Schlatter disease exhibits the avulsion of a portion of the developing ossification center histologically [11]. This avulsion may occur when chondrocytes undergo hypertrophy in the pre-ossification phase. Once the avulsed portion is pulled away from the cartilage or bone, it may continue to grow and ossify. The intervening area may become fibrous, creating localized nonunion and a characteristic concave defect [11]. In our case, the weakest point was likely located in the tibial tuberosity because of the Osgood-Schlatter disease, and at the tibial attachment of the patella [7]. Sudden flexion of the knee, while contracting the quadriceps muscles, caused avulsion of the superficial layer from an attachment of the patella. However, the deep layer, which was attached to the physis, may have been avulsed from the tibia tubercle with the fragment. Therefore, the injury pattern would have been different from the five classical injury patterns [3].

Patellar tendon ruptures are often misdiagnosed [20]. Siwek et al. reported that 38% were not diagnosed correctly but were rather misdiagnosed at the first visit [5]. Patellar tendon rupture with avulsion from the tibial tubercle has been reported as a complication of Osgood-Schlatter disease [21]. However, the relationship between the proximal disruption of the patellar tendon and Osgood-Schlatter disease has not been reported.

CONCLUSION

This is, to our knowledge, the first case of bifocal proximal and distal disruption of the patellar tendon as a complication of Osgood-Schlatter disease. Physicians should consider Osgood-Schlatter disease in cases of combined distal and proximal disruption of the patellar tendon to avoid a misdiagnosis.

REFERENCES