Patellar Tendon Repair

What is Patellar Tendon Repair?

Patellar tendon repair is a surgical procedure where an orthopedic surgeon reconnects the patellar tendon, which attaches the bottom of the kneecap (patella) to the shinbone (tibia), back to the bone. There are two primary methods used to achieve this:

• Inferior Patellar Tunnel Repair: Drilling vertical bone tunnels through the kneecap to loop heavy sutures and pull the patellar tendon up to the bottom pole.
• Suture Anchor Repair Technique: Inserting suture anchors into the bottom edge of the kneecap (or top of the shinbone) to secure the tendon without full bone tunnels.

Who Should Have a Patellar Tendon Repair?

Surgery is not always necessary for every injury; individuals with partial or very small tears can often recover without an operation. In these cases, a combination of knee immobilization and targeted physical therapy is usually sufficient. However, because total ruptures cause a complete inability to straighten the leg and are far more common in surgical candidates than minor tears, most patients require patellar tendon repair surgery to fully restore the function, leverage, and stability of the knee.

How Well Does a Patellar Tendon Repair Work?

The success rate for this procedure is high, with most patients regaining between 85% and 90% of their original leg strength. To track your progress, your surgeon will compare the strength of the injured leg against your healthy leg, providing a clear benchmark for your recovery.

A critical factor in the outcome of the surgery is the precision with which the surgeon sets the tension of the sutures and reattaches the tendon. Because of this, it is highly recommended to partner with an experienced provider who performs these procedures frequently, such as the specialists at Fox Valley Orthopedics.

While some patients may experience temporary weakness or a limited range of motion following surgery, these issues are typically short-lived. As with any surgical intervention, there are general risks including anesthesia complications, blood clots, or infection. At Fox Valley Orthopedics, we pride ourselves on maintaining very low complication rates.

What Can I Expect When I Have a Patellar Tendon Repair?

Depending on your medical history, you may be required to complete a pre-surgical physical to ensure all necessary health accommodations are in place. Upon arriving at the surgical facility, you will consult with your anesthesiologist and surgeon. Depending on your needs, you will receive either general anesthesia or regional anesthesia. During the procedure, you will be positioned face up to allow the surgeon full access to the knee. Depending on your overall health and the specifics of the case, you may be discharged the same day or stay overnight for observation. You should also be aware that the position of your kneecap may appear slightly different after the repair is complete.

Following surgery, your doctor will provide a plan for pain management and icing, which typically lasts about a week. To protect the surgical site, your leg will be immobilized in a long leg cast or locked knee brace, and you will be restricted from bearing weight on that leg for approximately 4 to 6 weeks.

Once this initial healing phase is complete, you and your surgeon will develop a physical therapy plan designed to restore strength and mobility to the joint. The timeline for a full recovery generally ranges from 6 to 12 months.