Case of Acute Concomitant Rupture of Anterior Cruciate Ligament and Patellar Tendon of Knee: Surgical Decision Making and Outcome

INTRODUCTION: Acute concomitant rupture of both anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) and patellar tendon is a rare injury. The diagnosis of either of the injuries may be missed on clinical examination in the emergency room. A high index of suspicion is necessary when active extension is absent, and necessary investigations like ultrasound or magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) should be done to confirm the diagnosis. There are no fixed treatment protocols in these injuries. The options include immediate repair of patellar tendon with either simultaneous or delayed reconstruction of ACL. CASE REPORT: We present a case of 30-year-old man with simultaneous ACL and patellar tendon injury sustained in a RTA, riding pillion on a bike. The mechanism of injury was a direct blow on his flexed right knee followed by landing on the ground, on his foot with a twisting valgus thrust. Following clinical examination and radiographs, MRI was done which showed complete patellar tendon mid substance rupture and ACL tear. A staged procedure was planned, and the patient was taken up for immediate patellar tendon repair. This was followed by 5 weeks of cast immobilization. After 6 weeks, the knee was mobilized and ACL reconstruction was done using hamstring graft. At last, follow-up, the patient regained full knee extension and flexion up to 120° with normal gait. CONCLUSION: High-velocity knee injuries have to be carefully evaluated for such concomitant tears, as they may be missed. If suspected, an immediate ultrasound scan or MRI should be done to confirm the injuries, especially that of the patellar tendon. As of now, a staged procedure comprising immediate patellar tendon repair followed by ACL reconstruction at a later date seems to be the better option of treatment.