Quadriceps tendon rupture causes pain, swelling, and an inability to straighten the knee or walk. The injury occurs suddenly and is often mistaken for other problems. Conservative techniques may not fully heal the injury.
Quadriceps tendon rupture occurs when a high level of force is put through the tendon, usually with a bent knee, which can cause the tissue to tear. Symptoms of a quadriceps tendon rupture include pain, an inability to straighten the knee, and in some cases, an inability to walk. There will also often be a large amount of swelling in the area just above the kneecap.
The quadriceps tendon sits above the kneecap and connects the quadriceps muscle group to the knee. It is often put under a great deal of strain and can develop weaknesses over time.
While a patient often knows that there is something wrong with their knee when a tendon rupture occurs, it is not always clear what the exact problem is. A quadriceps tendon rupture will occur suddenly, without warning, and in many cases during an activity that the person has been doing for a long time. Unfortunately, a ruptured kneecap or quadriceps tendon is a serious problem and often not fully healable by rest or other conservative techniques.
The person will initially feel pain when the injury occurs. Many people who suffer from a quadriceps tendon rupture will not be able to walk. The quadriceps is a powerful muscle group involved in a large number of everyday lower body activities. For this reason it is usually immediately apparent that something is wrong when the injury occurs.
Aside from difficulty walking, a person with a quadriceps tendon rupture will not be able to do a straight leg raise. This is a simple exercise that is performed with the person lying down with one leg straight. The leg is then lifted off the floor and held in the air. This is an exercise that is usually used to work the quadriceps muscle and so if a tear has occurred it will be difficult or impossible to perform.
There will also be visible symptoms of a quadriceps tendon rupture. As with any serious injury, there will often be a large amount of swelling in the kneecap and quadriceps tendon area. In many cases the patient will be able to feel a lump or problem in the area as well. While a tendon rupture is often simple to diagnose, it can be mistaken for other problems such as a patella fracture. It can also be difficult to diagnose in clinically overweight patients.
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