Reconstruction of ruptured patellar tendon after total knee arthroplasty: a case report and a description of an alternative fixation method.

Patellar tendon rupture after total knee arthroplasty is a rare, but often catastrophic complication. Many different reconstruction techniques of patellar tendon rupture have been described with variable and often discouraging results. A case report with patellar tendon rupture after a total knee arthroplasty is presented. Also, an alternative surgical technique of reconstruction of the patellar tendon using a semitendinosus-gracilis (STG) graft with an interference screw and a staple fixation enabling an immediate mobilization is described.