Quadriceps Rupture After Total Knee Arthroplasty: Getting It Straight

Extensor mechanism disruption is a devastating complication after total knee replacement. Quadriceps tendon disruption is much less common than patella tendon rupture, and options for treatment are generally lacking in the literature. An allograft technique is described in which an Achilles tendon allograft is used with a calcaneal bone block fixed distally to the tubercle and attached to the vastus lateralis and medialis proximally. Although a mild residual lag often occurs, brace-free ambulation can be expected in most patients.