Proximal Patellar Tendon Rupture

Home
About Us
- - About Us
  - About AMSSM
  - FAMSSM Designation
  - Awards
  - Founders
  - Past Presidents
  - Board of Directors
  - Committees
  - Contact Us
  - Bylaws/Policy & Committee Handbooks
- - FAMSSM Applications
  - Application submission is now closed for the 2026 Class of AMSSM Fellows. New Fellows will be announced to the AMSSM membership after the first of the year and honored at the 2026 Annual Meeting.
    
    Applications for the FAMSSM Designation will be available on an annual basis. Please contact Ellen Glasgow with any questions regarding the FAMSSM application.
- - We Understand You

Communications
- - Communications
  - Collaborate.AMSSM.org
  - New Branding Campaign
  - AMSSM Member Marketing Toolkit
  - Journal Access
  - Publications/Position Statements
  - Press Releases
  - Brochures
  - Weekly Digests
- - Online AMSSM Community for Members
  - AMSSM Collaborate online community provides a forum for year-long connection, giving members the chance to have conversations, share resources and make connections with your peers.
- - AMSSM Informational Brochures
  - Find informational brochures about sports medicine physicians geared toward coaches, parents and other healthcare professionals.
Education
- - AMSSM Sports Medcasts
  - Find all current and past AMSSM Sports Medcast episodes in one convenient location.
- - AMSSM Fellow Online Lecture Series
  - The AMSSM National Fellow Online Lecture Series features talks from national experts on fundamental sports medicine topics pertinent to fellowship training and sports medicine board certification. Go to the collaborate.amssm.org site and view the available lectures in the Upcoming Events area.
Research
Advocacy
- - Legislative and Policy Issues
  - AMSSM is the go-to organization for legislative and policy issues related to sports medicine and athlete health and safety.
- - Legislation by State
  - AMSSM offers a variety of advocacy resources, including a map that tracks legislation important to sports medicine physicians.
Sports US
- - Sports Ultrasound Online Didactics
  - These 35 educational modules cover all of the didactic instructional session topics recommended for sports medicine fellows by the AMSSM.
- - Sports Ultrasound Committee
  - Find all the resources, materials and guidelines from the AMSSM Sports Ultrasound Committee
Patients
- - Need a Sports Medicine Physician?
  - FindADoc
- - SportsMedToday.com
  - Your comprehensive sports medicine resource for athletes, coaches and parents.
Additional Information
- - Additional Information
  - Sports Med Today
  - Journals
  - Weekly Digests
  - Store
  - Careers
  - Industry
Foundation

Proximal Patellar Tendon Rupture

Authors, Editors, Case Information Author: Joseph Brutzkus, MD Affiliation: University of Illinois at Chicago Co Author(s): Ankur Verma, DO Senior Editor: William Berrigan, MD Clinical Vignette: A 41-year-old male presented with left knee pain after feeling a pop while playing basketball 6 weeks prior. On exam, there was a palpable defect at the infrapatellar space and weakness with knee extension. Type of Probe Used: 4-15 mHz Linear Transducer Unlabeled Long Axis View of the Proximal Patellar Tendon Unlabeled Long Axis View of the Proximal Patellar Tendon Labeled Long Axis View of the Proximal Patellar Tendon Labeled Long Axis View of the Proximal Patellar Tendon with complete disruption of the proximal aspect of the patellar tendon. Unlabeled Short Axis View of the Proximal Patellar Tendon Unlabeled Short Axis View of the Proximal Patellar Tendon Labeled Short Axis View of the Proximal Patellar Tendon Labeled Short Axis View of the Proximal Patellar Tendon region with complete absence of the tendon and superficial location of hoffa's fat pad filling the patellar tendon defect Interpretation Image Interpretation: Disruption of the proximal aspect of the patellar tendon, consistent with full-thickness patellar tendon rupture. The fat pad can be seen in a more superfician position than expected due to the defect in the tendon. There are also hyperechoic areas within the fat pad, suggestive of fibrosis. Teaching Pearl: Ultrasound can be used at the point of care to diagnose large tendon tears, including proximal patellar tendon rupture. Findings include disruption of tendon fibers near the inferior patellar pole, fluid or hematoma in the defect, loss of normal tendon tension, and possible superficial displacement of Hoffa's fat pad. It's important to scan the full tendon width in both long and short axis to confirm continuity and define tear extent. Complete rupture or compromise of the extensor mechanism on physiscal exam should prompt urgent orthopedic referral. References: 1. Billone LM, Allred SJ, Flores DV. US of acute tendon tears. Radiographics. 2024;44(12):e240060. doi:10.1148/rg.240060 2. McMahon CJ, Ramappa A, Lee K. The extensor mechanism: imaging and intervention. Semin Musculoskelet Radiol. 2017;21(2):89-101. doi:10.1055/s-0037-1599207 3. Brinkman JC, Reeson E, Chhabra A. Acute patellar tendon ruptures: an update on management. J Am Acad Orthop Surg Glob Res Rev. 2024;8(4). doi:10.5435/JAAOSGlobal-D-24-00060
NOTE: For more information, please contact the AMSSM, 4000 W. 114th Street, Suite 100, Leawood, KS 66211 (913) 327-1415.

Back		Top

Authors, Editors, Case Information

Unlabeled Long Axis View of the Proximal Patellar Tendon

Labeled Long Axis View of the Proximal Patellar Tendon

Unlabeled Short Axis View of the Proximal Patellar Tendon

Labeled Short Axis View of the Proximal Patellar Tendon

Interpretation

UPCOMING EVENTS

FIND A SPORTS DOC