REVIEW OF OPEN PATELLA TENDON DECOMPRESSION FOR PATELLA TENDONITIS (JUMPER’S KNEE)

Abstract

Background: Patella tendonitis is a condition often found in athletes but is also found in less active patients. It usually responds to conservative management (rest, physiotherapy and anti-inflammatory drugs) but some progress to surgery. A retrospective study was done to look at the results of this surgery in our hospital.

Patients and Methods: From 2001 to 2007, nineteen knees in sixteen patients had open patella tendon decompression. Eleven patients were still involved in sporting activity. All surgery was performed by the same surgeon. The patients were brought back to a clinic for review, examination and VISA score.

Results: All but one patient had an improvement in their pain score. Of the 11 patients that played sport, eight were able to return to sport. Five of these returned to competition.

Five patients would not have the surgery again. Only two of these had still played sport. Three of these had other knee pathology found at arthroscopy.

Conclusions: The results of the surgery were satisfactory, although they were more favourable in the patients that were still involved in sporting activities. The rehabilitation time was much longer than had been expected by most patients.