Traumatic Patellar Tendon Tears

Diagnostic Approach and Traumatic Mechanisms

• Motor vehicle accidents can cause patellar tendon rupture, as significant trauma to the knee during accidents can lead to this injury 1
• Acute twisting injuries, which involve rotational forces applied to the knee while weight-bearing, can tear the patellar tendon 2
• Joint effusion, characterized by hemarthrosis, is common following traumatic tears 1
• Radiographs, including anteroposterior and lateral views of the knee, should be used as initial imaging to assess patellar position and rule out associated fractures 1, 2
• MRI is the most accurate imaging modality for confirming diagnosis and assessing extent of tendon tear, according to the American College of Radiology 3
• Ultrasound can be useful for dynamic assessment but is generally less accurate than MRI for partial tears, as stated by the American College of Radiology 3