Old rupture of the patellar tendon. A case report.

A 46-year-old man with pain and instability in the right knee and a long-neglected rupture of the patellar tendon was treated by means of tendon reconstruction. External skeletal fixation between the patella and the tibial tubercle allowed for early exercise of the knee joint, resulting in a favorable range of knee motion. This method is considered to be helpful in the reconstruction of old and disabling patellar tendon ruptures.