Quad Patella Tendon Repair

What is Quad Tendon Repair? 
The quad tendon repair is a surgery that is used to treat tears in the quadriceps tendon. The quadriceps tendons provide support to the extensor muscles of the knee. An injury to the quad disables a person from flexing their knee, it limits movement and may cause partial disability.

Quad tendon repair is conventional surgery used to repair small and large tears in the quad tendon. Wear and tear injury, trauma, and sports injuries can cause quads tears.

A quad tendon repair surgery is performed per the quad tendon repair protocol. Each orthopedic medical center or hospital may have their variation of the quad tendon repair protocol, but all of them adhere to the general surgery guidelines recommended by the American Medical Association.

What is the Quad Tendon Repair Protocol? 
Quad tendon repair protocol is the code of behavior followed by an orthopedic surgeon and center when performing a quad tendon repair surgery. The quad tendon repair protocol ensures that the best practices are followed to guarantee the best patient outcomes.

A Quad tendon repair protocol is adopted when performing a quad tendon repair treatment for individuals who have torn their quadriceps tendon.

A quadriceps tendon tear can be:

• Partial Quadricep Tendon Tear
• Complete Quadricep Tendon Tear

 

A partial tear does not detach the tendon from the quad muscles and patella completely. In a partial tear, the quad tendon is stretched and may become frayed; however, it remains attached to the muscle and bone.

On the other hand, a complete tear splits the tendon in two, detaching it entirely from the muscle and bone.

The Quad tendon repair protocol defines similar but separate surgical procedures for partial and complete tears of the quad tendon. The Quad tendon repair protocol recommends a non-surgical option for partial tear, initially. A surgical option is advised after non-operative treatments have failed.

Comparatively, The Quad tendon repair protocol advises a surgical option for a complete tear of the quad tendon immediately after diagnosis.

Who Needs Quad Tendon Repair? 
Surgeons recommend Quad tendon repair surgery to individuals who have injured their quadriceps tendon. An injury to the quad tendon can be caused by:

• Trauma: which includes direct hit to the knee, falls, or lacerations.
• The Weakness of the Tendons: Tendons may become weak because of medical conditions such as tendonitis, chronic diseases such as Rheumatoid arthritis, Chronic renal failure, infections, Systemic lupus erythematosus, and cancer, and wear and tear of the tendon from age.
• Steroids: Corticosteroids can weaken muscles and tendons; the weakened tendons tear easily with minimal force.

 

Quad tendon repair protocol is recommended when:

• A patient has been diagnosed with a partial or complete quad tendon tear
• Surgery is recommended as the first course of action for a complete tear. If not performed immediately, the tendon may tighten in the shortened position, which may cause further problems.
• Non-surgical treatments have failed to heal the partial tendon tear.
• The tear is affecting the strength and function of adjoining tendons, muscles, and bones. The surgeon believes that if not treated surgically, the tendon tear may cause other medical problems.
• The patient is an athlete who wishes to return to their sport
• The patient is young and has an active lifestyle

 

How is Quad Tendon Repair Performed? 
The quad tendon repair protocol states that a quad repair can be performed through an open surgical procedure or an arthroscopic surgical procedure.

In recent years, arthroscopic procedures have gained popularity because they are effective and less risky than open surgical procedures.

However, the surgeon may recommend an open surgical procedure if the injury is complicated.

The typical steps of an orthopedic surgical procedure include:

• The anesthesiologist administers local, regional, or general anesthesia to the patient.
• The surgeon makes small incisions on the front of the patient’s knee.
• The surgeon inserts an arthroscope through one incision and small surgical instruments through the other.
• The surgeon repairs or reconstructs the torn tendon.
• The surgeon secures the tendon with screws or sutures, if necessary.
• The surgeon tests the stability of the repaired tendon.
• The surgeon withdraws the camera and the instruments.
• The surgeon closes the incision with stitches and applies a bandage on the wound.

 

Quad Tendon Rehabilitation 
The quad tendon repair protocol provides guidelines about quad and patella tendon repair rehab. The rehabilitation after surgery includes guidelines for pain management, physical therapy, and immediate motion protocol treatment.

Complete recovery after surgery depends on the medical condition and lifestyle of the patient. In general, patients report complete use of knee functions after 8-12 months.

CMW has a team of board-certified orthopedic surgeons who have performed successful orthopedic surgeries for years. These surgeons are experts in repairing and reconstructing ligaments, tendons, and muscles of the knee joint.

Our surgeons follow surgical guidelines such as the quad tendon repair protocol to offer you the best surgical outcomes.

Fight for your quality of life! Call CMW today to schedule a quad repair surgery.

Schedule an online consultation with our orthopedic specialist and avail effective, reliable, and best orthopedic treatments in NJ.