AJSM Webinar Series - September 2021: Patellar Tendon Repair-Incidence and Risk Factors of Acute Patellar Tendon Rupture, Repair Failure, and Return to Activity in the Active-Duty Military Population

Incidence and Risk Factors of Acute Patellar Tendon Rupture, Repair Failure, and Return to Activity in the Active-Duty Military Population

Back to course

Pdf Summary

A recent study investigated the incidence and risk factors of acute patellar tendon rupture, repair failure, and return to activity in the active-duty military population. The study utilized data from the Military Health System (MHS) Data Repository and identified 504 operatively treated primary patellar tendon repairs in 483 patients. The overall incidence of patellar tendon rupture in the active-duty military population was 6 per 100,000 person-years, which is substantially higher than the reported incidence in the general civilian population. The study found that men, Black servicemembers, and those aged 35 to 44 years were at the highest risk for patellar tendon rupture.<br /><br />The study also assessed demographic patterns, fixation methods, and rerupture rates. The fixation method for primary repairs was primarily bone tunnels (81%) and suture anchors (7%). The study found that fixation method, tobacco usage, body mass index, and race were not significant risk factors for rerupture. The overall rerupture rate was 3%.<br /><br />In terms of return to activity, the study found that 75.8% of patients were able to return to their previous level of activity without limitations. 14.6% of patients returned to activity with limitations, while 9.5% were medically separated from the military.<br /><br />In conclusion, the incidence of patellar tendon rupture is higher in the US military population compared to the civilian population. Men, Black servicemembers, and those aged 35 to 44 years are at the highest risk for patellar tendon rupture. The majority of patients were able to return to their previous level of activity without limitations, and the rerupture rate was low and unaffected by fixation method.

Keywords

acute patellar tendon rupture

repair failure

return to activity

active-duty military population

incidence

risk factors

men

Black servicemembers

35 to 44 years

rerupture rates