Neglected Patellar Tendon Rupture Augmentation Using Fibertape Augmentation: A Case Report

INTRODUCTION: Rupture of the patellar tendon is an uncommon problem caused by athletic activities. Delayed treatment would result in suboptimal outcomes such as quadriceps contracture, residual quadriceps weakness, and loss of knee flexion. CASE PRESENTATION: 18 years old female patient with a seven-month-old injury twisting her knee comes with pain and instability and positive anterior drawer test and Lachman test. The radiology findings showed total rupture of the anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) and partial tear of the patellar tendon on the MRI right knee. We perform a direct end-to-end approximation of the patellar tendon with augmentation through the transosseous site in the patella proximally and tibial tubercle distally without using a graft with a good outcome. DISCUSSION: This is the first reported case where a patellar tendon reconstruction is done without implants, synthetic augmentation or graft. Based on this outcome, the use of this technique could be promising for patellar tendon augmentation without graft. This might be an alternative to the less expensive method of repairing a chronic patellar tendon rupture. CONCLUSION: The use of fibertape augmentation provides a practical solution for treating a neglected patellar tendon rupture with concurrent ligament injury needing graft repair. We believe that this technique is easily reproducible and warrants further investigation.