Dallas Patellar Tendon Surgeon
The patellar tendon is a fibrous cord that anchors your kneecap, or patella, to your shin bone, or tibia. The quad tendon connects your quadriceps muscle to your kneecap. These tendons work with surrounding soft tissues to stabilize the knee joint and facilitate essential movements such as walking and climbing stairs. Overextension of the patellar or quadriceps tendon can cause tears and lead to patella instability. A torn ligament or torn quadriceps tendon often requires surgical repair.
When either tendon is torn, patients may experience symptoms such as; sudden pain, swelling, bruising, and difficulty straightening the leg or bearing weight on the affected limb. In the case of a complete tear, patients may see the kneecap may shift out of place— thereby making even basic movements nearly impossible. These symptoms may also be evaluated in patients with meniscus tear or meniscus root injuries, which can further affect knee stability and function. Early diagnosis and appropriate treatment are crucial to restore normal function; thereby preventing long-term complications. While partial tears have the potential to be managed with rest, bracing, and physical therapy, complete ruptures of the quadriceps or patellar tendon typically require surgical intervention followed by a structured rehabilitation program.
Understanding the risks and complications associated with tendon injuries is essential for making informed treatment decisions. If you’re experiencing knee tendon problems, consult with Dr. Steven J. Thornton, a Dallas patellar tendon surgeon for expert evaluation and care.
Treatment Options & Procedures for Patellar Tendon Rupture
In many cases, treatment begins with conservative, non-surgical approaches—especially for tendon tears that are partial. These non surgical treatment involves rest, ice, anti-inflammatory medications, bracing, and a guided physical therapy program to strengthen the surrounding muscles and reduce strain on the injured tendon. It is important to note that for patella instability and quadricep injuries activity modification is also key to prevent further damage while the tendon heals.
If the tear is complete or if conservative measures fail to improve symptoms, surgical repair may be necessary. Surgical methods may include using a tissue graft to reinforce the repair and restore function.
This procedure involves repairing quadriceps tendon tears or patellar tendon tears to restore stability. Understanding how the patellar tendon works to transfer force from the quadriceps to the lower leg is crucial for proper rehabilitation. Healing requires protecting the torn tendon repair while gradually regaining motion and strength. Recovery from quadriceps tendon rupture can take time compared to partial tears, and each individual will have their own timeline.
Your doctor has provided the following guidelines for recovery from patellar/quadriceps tendon injury. Please follow these instructions unless provided with specific guidance from your doctor or care team. These will take priority, and Dr. Thornton is always here to answer any questions you may have.
FAQS About Patellar Tendon Tear
General Postoperative Care
Eating and Drinking Following Patellar/Quadriceps Tendon Repair Surgery
Unless your Dallas patellar tendon surgeon provides specific instructions, there are no food restrictions following surgical treatment, however:
- You’re encouraged to ease back into a normal diet. Avoid greasy foods for the first few days after surgery. Instead, light, small meals consisting of foods like soups and crackers may be easier on your stomach.
- You may experience nausea while eating early in your recovery. This can be a side effect of pain medication along with constipation. If you experience pain after eating, extreme nausea or vomiting, contact our office to discuss alternative solutions.
- You’re also encouraged to stay hydrated following quadriceps/patellar tendon repair surgery. Drink plenty of water and avoid alcohol and sugary drinks.
Caring for Incisions
Caring for your incisions is vital to speed along recovery and avoid complications like infections. Small incisions are typically used during the procedure to minimize tissue disruption.
- Leave any bandages in place until your follow-up appointment, at which time, our team will remove them. You may experience itching as your incisions heal. It’s important to avoid scratching the affected area. Instead, you may lightly rub the area, but use caution as you do not want to irritate the incision area.
- Early on in your recovery, you may notice puffy skin and spotting of blood. This should lessen within a few days. Your incision should not ooze blood or other fluids.
- If your bandages become soaked, do not remove them. Instead, wrap them in sterile gauze and contact our team if the leakage does not stop.
- Keep the area dry to avoid infection. After 24-48 hours, you may shower with waterproof dressing over the incision, as advised by your doctor. Do not allow the incision area to become immersed in water, so no baths, pools or hot tubs.
- Do not use lotions or creams on or near your incision areas.
- Stitches are typically removed by our team between 1-2 weeks following your procedure. After your stitches have been removed, you can typically get the area wet and dab it dry, but your doctor will provide specific guidance after your appointment.
Pain and Medication Guidelines
*The following are general aftercare guidelines for the use of medications. Your Dallas patellar tendon specialist will provide specific instructions as they pertain to your health, prescriptions and procedure.
- We will use numbing medication during your procedure, typically administered through regional or general anesthesia. This medication will begin to wear off between 4-10 hours after you are discharged. You may begin to feel some pain during this time.
- Take prescribed pain medications exactly as directed. If they do not provide adequate relief, contact our office for further guidance.
- Prescription pain medications are known to cause dizziness and can make you drowsy. No driving or operating heavy machinery while taking these medications. Some people find that taking these medications on an empty stomach makes things worse, so consider having a bite to eat first.
- If you are at risk for clotting, your doctor may recommend a low-dose aspirin regimen while you are prescribed certain medications. Please advise our staff of any health concerns you have.
Your Mobility Following Patellar/Quadriceps Tendon Repair Surgery
You will experience swelling following surgery. This is normal and to be expected.
- You can reduce swelling by lying down with pillows propping up your leg. Elevate your leg by placing pillows under your ankle, not your knee, to reduce swelling and promote circulation. This also helps protect the lower leg bones and surrounding structures.
- Crutches will assist with mobility and tendon weakness during the early recovery phase. Your doctor can provide specifics, but you may be able to test bearing a little bit of weight on your leg as long as you are wearing your brace and using your crutches.
- Do not attempt to drive until your doctor clears you. You should also avoid sitting in one place for long periods of time, including during long car rides.
- Returning to work can be a challenge. We encourage you to speak with your workplace to see if you can be provided accommodations to work in a seated position with your leg propped up.
Proper Usage of Your Brace
Your doctor has placed a brace following surgery. The following are guidelines for the proper use of your brace:
- Keep your knee brace on until your doctor clears you to remove it. The knee immobilizer is there to provide support and protection, helping to prevent complications such as graft loosening or severe damage to the repaired tendon.
- If changes or adjustments need to be made, our team can guide you. We encourage you to ask questions to ensure you’re comfortable with the proper adjustments available.
Use a Cold Pack for Swelling
The use of cold packs and ice can help to alleviate pain and swelling during your recovery. The following are guidelines to avoid complications when using cold packs and ice:
- Cold can be applied to the incision area for approximately 15-30 minutes every few hours.
- To prevent moisture exposure to the incision site, ensure that a cold pack or ice is properly wrapped in a clean cloth or a waterproof barrier before application.
Movement and Stretching Guidelines
Practice gentle movements like curling your toes or gently flexing your ankle according to your doctor’s instructions. These motion exercises help to keep blood circulating and prevent complications such as blood vessel damage failure.
- Do not engage in movements that cause extreme pain. It may take a while for you to feel comfortable with certain movements, but they should not cause pain.
- A healing tendon requires careful rehabilitation, and typically a ligament heals over several months with proper care. Complete healing depends on adherence to your recovery protocol. A thorough physical examination will be conducted at follow-up appointments to assess your progress.
- Physical therapy may be a part of your recovery and regain knee function. If this is the case, our office can help you connect with a physical therapist.
CALL US IF…
Reach out right away if you notice:
- Severe, persistent pain that does not improve with medication or radiates through your upper arm.
- Fever, chills, infection, redness, off-color discharge.
- Severe swelling, tingling, numbness or skin discoloration, particularly in the hand, fingers or forearm.
- Respiratory distress or chest discomfort.
- Bleeding or persistent fluid leakage at the incision site.
Contact Dallas Patellar Tendon Surgeon Steven J. Thornton, MD
Contact Dr. Thornton’s office to learn about effective treatment strategies and start your journey towards a healthier, more active shoulder. Our Dallas patellar tendon doctor specializes in advanced treatment options that can help you return to your sports activities. Whether you need repair or a new tendon reconstruction, our surgeon makes every effort to provide personalized care tailored to your needs.
Beyond common knee issues, our doctor helps patients recover from conditions like ACL and MCL injuries, patellar and quadriceps tendon injuries, and LCL and PCL injuries, including those that require surgery. Schedule your appointment online today to discuss your treatment options.