Ultrasound diagnosis of a patellar tendon rupture.

Many forward units are being deployed with portable ultrasound capability. We describe a case of a patient with a complete patellar tendon rupture that was diagnosed in the deployed environment using a portable ultrasound. Military physicians can benefit from sonographic evaluation of patients with musculoskeletal injuries in a deployed setting. The information they gain can assist them in giving better care to their patients and in making decisions on patient evacuation.