Bilateral rupture of the patellar tendon without predisposing systemic disease.

Bilateral rupture of the patellar ligament in a 49-year-old woman is reported. She sustained a relatively minor trauma and no underlying systemic disease could be found. This is the 14th case of simultaneous spontaneous rupture of the patellar tendons reported in the literature. The diagnostic features were diffuse swelling around the knees, visible and palpable infrapatellar defects, and an inability to extent either leg.