Thane: A 43-year-old resident of Hiranandani Estate, Thane, has successfully regained complete knee movement after undergoing a complex surgical procedure to treat a quadriceps tendon tear at KIMS Hospitals.
The patient presented with severe pain in his left knee and an inability to fully straighten his leg, a condition commonly associated with a quadriceps tendon tear.
Clinical examination revealed an extension lag of approximately 25 to 30 degrees while attempting knee extension. Prior to consultation, the patient had already undergone X-rays and MRI scans.
A detailed evaluation confirmed a quadriceps tendon tear, which was traced back to a fall that had occurred about a month earlier. Initial MRI findings showed a gap of nearly 2 centimetres between the torn tendon ends.
At that stage, early surgical repair was advised to prevent the progression of the quadriceps tendon tear and avoid complications.
However, after seeking multiple medical opinions and being informed that the injury might heal without surgical intervention, the patient delayed treatment for nearly six weeks.
During this time, symptoms associated with the quadriceps tendon tear worsened. The patient continued to experience a 30-degree extension lag and remained unable to actively straighten his knee.
A repeat MRI revealed that the quadriceps tendon tear had progressed significantly. The muscle had retracted, and the injury had developed into a chronic rupture with a gap measuring approximately 5 to 6 centimetres.
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Increased Severity and Complexity of Quadriceps Tendon Tear: Surgical Intervention Became Essential
The patient subsequently underwent quadriceps tendon repair at KIMS Hospitals. Despite the chronic nature of the quadriceps tendon tear, the surgical team was able to successfully mobilise and re-approximate the retracted tendon ends, resulting in a strong and stable repair.
Following the procedure, the patient underwent two months of structured rehabilitation and physiotherapy. This phase played a critical role in recovery from the quadriceps tendon tear.
He has now made remarkable progress, achieving full weight-bearing capacity on the affected leg, walking independently without support, and completely extending his knee without any residual bend.
Commenting on the case, Dr Mrinal Prakash, Consultant Orthopedics, Joint Replacement & Sports Injury Specialist at KIMS Hospitals, said: “Quadriceps tendon tears are serious injuries that significantly affect knee extension and mobility. Early diagnosis and timely surgical repair are crucial.
In this case, the delay allowed the tendon to retract further, increasing the tear from 2 cm to nearly 6 cm, making the procedure more technically demanding. With meticulous surgical repair and dedicated rehabilitation, the patient achieved complete functional recovery.”
The case highlights how delayed treatment of a quadriceps tendon tear can transform an acute and manageable injury into a complex chronic rupture requiring advanced surgical expertise and prolonged rehabilitation.
