[Biomechanical Examination of Patellar Tendon Ruptures Repaired with a Tendon Graft: an Experimental Study]

Objectives: This study aims to perform an experimental examination of the patellar tendon grafts repaired using an interference screw and free tendon graft.

Material And Methods: Twelve knees of the lower limbs which were amputated due to circulatory disease were included in this study. The knees were removed from all soft tissues including patellar tendons. A tendon graft was fixed onto tuberositas tibia through the distal portion of the knee using an interference screw. The patellar tendon graft and tuberositas tibia complex were fixed at the lower and upper part of the testing machine. The distraction force of the bone-tendon-bone complex was recorded using the testing machine.

Results: Both patellar and tibial ruptures were detected. The pullout force of the tendons was found to be 810 at maximum and 420 N at minimum. The mean pullout force was 600 N in men and 525 N in women with an overall mean of 575 N.

Conclusion: Our study results showed that patellar tendon repair with grafting had a similar pullout force compared to other repair techniques. In case of a neglected rupture of the patellar tendon, in particular, grafting is recommended.