Thane: A 43-year-old resident of Hiranandani Estate, Thane, has successfully regained complete knee movement after undergoing complex quadriceps tendon repair at KIMS Hospitals.
The patient presented with severe pain in his left knee and an inability to fully straighten his leg. Clinical examination revealed a bend of approximately 25 to 30 degrees while attempting knee extension (Extension Lag). He had already undergone X-rays and MRI scans prior to consultation.
Detailed evaluation confirmed a quadriceps tendon tear. The patient had a history of a fall about a month earlier. Initial MRI findings showed a gap of nearly 2 centimetres between the torn tendon ends, and early surgical repair was advised to prevent further complications.
However, after seeking multiple opinions and being advised that the injury might heal on its own, the patient chose to wait for nearly six weeks. During this period, his symptoms worsened. He continued to have a 30-degree extension lag and was unable to actively straighten his knee.
A repeat MRI revealed that the muscle had retracted significantly and the tear had progressed into a chronic rupture gap measuring approximately 6 centimetres. Due to the increased gap and complexity, surgical intervention became essential.
The patient subsequently underwent quadriceps tendon repair. Despite the chronic nature of the tear, i was able to successfully mobilise and re-approximate the retracted tendon ends, achieving a strong and stable repair.
After two months of structured rehabilitation and physiotherapy, he has made remarkable progress. He is now able to bear full weight on the affected leg, walk independently without support, and completely extend 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.”
Delayed treatment can convert an acute and manageable tear into a complex chronic rupture requiring advanced surgical expertise.
