Quadriceps tendon tear is an injury that occurs when the tendon that attaches the quadriceps muscle (a group of 4 muscles in the front part of the femur) to the patella or kneecap tears.
The quadriceps tendon may be partially or completely torn. Quadriceps tendon rupture is a rare but serious injury. If this injury is not promptly recognized and early operated, it may lead to disability.
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| Quadriceps Tendon Tear |
Clinically Relevant Anatomy
The quadriceps tendon comes from the muscular junction of the, rectus femoris, vastus lateralis, vastus medialis and vastus intermedius, at the anterior superior pole of the patella.The tendon is multilayered. The rectus femoris is the most superficial layer inserting on to the patella and the vastus lateralis and medialis are the middle layers.
The quadriceps tendon in combination with patellar tendon and the patella bone make up the extensor mechanism of the lower leg. These muscles derive their neurovascular innervation from the femoral nerve and artery.
Specifically, the rectus femoris, vastus intermedius, and vastus lateralis gain their arterial supply from the lateral femoral circumflex artery. The vastus medialis gains its arterial supply from the femoral artery, superior medial genicular branch of the popliteal artery, and the profunda femoris artery.
The vastus lateralis, vastus medialis, and the vastus intermedius act both as knee extenders as well as assist with patellar tracking. The vastus lateralis is the largest of the quadriceps muscles.
It helps to pull the patella laterally. This action must be counterbalanced by the vastus medialis, which is the smallest of the quadriceps muscles and acts to pull the patella medially.
The vastus intermedius acts to help stabilize midline tracking of the patella. The combined contraction of this group of anterior thigh muscles causes extension of the lower leg. The rectus femoris also plays a role in hip flexion.
A rupture of this central tendon drastically hinders knee extension and directly effects functionality.
The degree that a quadriceps tendon rupture limits lower leg extension is based on the severity of tendon damage. Minor tendon tears may have minimal impact on extensor function, while complete tendon tears may totally impede lower leg extension.
Etiology
Quadriceps tendon tears have a positive correlation with age and multiple medical comorbidities. This injury historically is more prevalent in males, with the age after 40 years. This is in opposition to patellar tendon tears, which commonly occur before age 40, and are often related to sports injuries.A muscle rupture often happens during a high impact action with a bad landing. During a landing there is a heavy load on a knee in flexion and the foot is planted on the ground (jump).
The Quadriceps muscle makes a rapid, eccentric contraction. Other mechanism is caused by a force straight on the anterior side of the knee (fall). Patients typically present with acute knee pain, swelling, and functional loss following a stumble, fall, or giving way of the knee.
Risk factors
Most quadriceps tendon tears happens because the tendon is weakened.Tendinitis: inflammation of the tendon causes weakening and maybe even little strains.
A poor blood supply to the tendon due to diseases also weakens the tendon.
Chronic diseases
Secondary hyperparathyroidism which causes bone resorption which causes weakening of the fibro-cartilaginous junction between the tendon and bone tissue.
Chronic renal failure; this can cause connective tissue elastosis which is suggesting for a weakening of the tendon.
Systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE), gout, leukemia, rheumatoid arthritis, diabetes mellitus, obesity, infections and metabolic diseases have a negative effect on the strength of the tendons.
Drugs abuse also have/has a degenerative effect on muscle tendon:
Corticosteroids usage has been linked to an increase of muscle and tendon weakness.
Fluoroquinolones, a special antibiotic is related to tendon ruptures.
Other factors such as knee surgery and immobilization also increase the chance, because the strength and flexibility of the muscle and tendon decreases.
Characteristics/ Clinical Presentation
There is often a popping or tearing feeling at the time of event. Some patients are able to walk following this injury, but many cannot. The patient will be unable to straight the knee without help when the tendon is completely ruptured.Differential Diagnosis
- Patellar tendon rupture
- Patella stress fracture
- Femoral shaft stress fracture
- Bone or soft tissue tumor
- Compartment syndrome
- Referred lumbar spine pain
- Meralgia paresthetica
- Femoral nerve injury or entrapment
Examination
During the inspection you can see swelling around the suprapatellar area, there is a hematoma.When you start the active examination you can immediately see that there is functional loss.Patients may have frequent buckling of the knee and difficulty with stair climbing.
Testing for full, active extension against gravity is the most important aspect of the examination. The patient will be unable to perform a straight leg raise.Extension lags of varying degrees are seen, depending on the amount of retinacular damage.
Results of neurologic examination are normal except for decreased quadriceps motor function and an absent patellar reflex.
Surgical Management
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| Quadriceps Tendon Tear |
Physiotherapy Management
Immediately after the injury, the RICE treatment (Rest, Ice, Compression, Elevation) can be started. Partial tear are commonly treated with ultrasound and TENS (Transcutaneous Electric Nerve Stimulation), heat and ice therapy, muscle strengthening, proprioception exercises and manual therapy (massage, passive extension, flexion).To rehabilitate a complete tendon rupture you can choose between the conservative or a more aggressive treatment after surgery. The conservative treatment consisted of 4 to 6 weeks of immobilization in 10° of flexion.
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