Successful surgery for patient with rare knee injury
(Baonghean.vn) - The patellar tendon is the tendon that connects the patella and the tibia, playing an important role in the extension system of the knee joint. Patellar tendon rupture is one of the rare knee injuries. Recently, doctors at Vinh International Hospital successfully performed surgery on a patient with this disease.
The knee joint is the largest joint in the human body and is one of the most commonly injured joints. Common injuries to the knee joint include: sprains, torn ligaments, torn meniscus, tendon injuries, fractures, dislocations...
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| Image of the concave area where the patient's tendon was torn. Photo: Kim Chung |
The patellar tendon is the tendon that connects the patella and the tibia, playing an important role in the extension system of the knee joint. Patellar tendon rupture is one of the rare knee injuries. Closed patellar tendon rupture is an injury that can occur at any age, especially in track and field athletes and high jumpers. When a person playing sports or doing daily activities is injured by a strong impact force, directly to the front of the knee, the foot lands in a bent knee position, suddenly over-flexing and extending. Usually after the injury, it is impossible to actively perform knee extension movements, most knee joints do not swell much, so patients are often subjective, thinking it is a simple injury and do not go to medical facilities for examination. This makes the injury worse and worse, affecting daily movement and activities.
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| Image of a patient unable to fully extend his left knee due to patellar tendon injury. Photo: Kim Chung |
Patient TMH, 15 years old, in Van Loi commune, Quy Hop district, Nghe An, showed abnormal symptoms in the left knee area after playing soccer 1.5 months ago. When examining the knee joint, the doctor determined that the patient had clinical patellar tendon injuries: A continuous concave area was palpable right below the kneecap (where the tendon was torn); The kneecap was higher than normal (compared to the healthy leg); Walking with a limp and unable to fully extend the knee.
To confirm the diagnosis, the patient was ordered an X-ray showing the patella higher than normal and an MRI of the left knee, which showed a complete tear in the middle third of the patellar tendon.
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| The team of doctors at Vinh International Hospital performed tendon reconstruction surgery for the patient. Photo: Kim Chung |
Tendon reconstruction surgery is appropriate in this case. Orthopedic specialist Tran Van Thuyen applies the technique of reconstructing the ruptured patellar tendon using autologous Hamstrings tendon grafts (gracilis and semitendinosus tendons). The doctor exposes the patella and the damaged area under the patella, cleans the fibrous tissue, then takes the Hamstrings tendon (maintaining the attachment point), measures the diameter of the tendon, drills a tunnel (the tunnel diameter depends on the measured Hamstrings tendon size) through the convexity of the tibia, and threads the Hamstrings tendon from the inside out. Next, drills a tunnel through the patella from the outside in, threads the new tendon through the patellar tunnel, returns the patella to its normal position and fixes it at the position of the tendon; temporarily immobilizes the knee joint with a long knee brace.
The surgery was successful after 45 minutes. After surgery, the patient's knee is immobilized with a knee brace in a straight knee position for 4-6 weeks. The doctor instructs the patient to exercise in the brace, while preserving the graft and increasing the strength of the tendons and muscles around the knee, while gradually bearing the body's weight, from lightly touching the toes, to the feet, part of the body and the whole body under the guidance of the surgeon. Usually after 6 months, movement is restored and all normal activities are returned.
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| X-ray images before and after tendon reconstruction surgery for a patient with a torn patellar tendon. Photo: Kim Chung |
To minimize injuries while playing sports, doctors recommend ensuring that the following principles are properly and fully implemented: Wear full safety gear; Perform all warm-up exercises; Exercise moderately, do not overexert yourself or become exhausted; Stretch slowly.
For support, information and detailed advice, please contact:
Vinh International Hospital
No. 99, Pham Dinh Toai Street, Nghi Phu Commune, Vinh City, Nghe An
Phone number 02383.968.888/0901.74.71.73