Partial or complete disruption of distal myotendinous units of quadriceps mechanism of thigh
Quadriceps tendon: common distal tendon unit for rectus femoris, vastus medialis, vastus intermedius, and vastus lateralis muscles inserting on patella
IMAGING
General Features
Radiographic Findings
CT Findings
MR Findings
Ultrasonographic Findings
Imaging Recommendations
DIFFERENTIAL DIAGNOSIS
PATHOLOGY
General Features
Staging, Grading, & Classification
Gross Pathologic & Surgical Features
CLINICAL ISSUES
Presentation
Demographics
Natural History & Prognosis
Treatment
DIAGNOSTIC CHECKLIST
Consider
Image Interpretation Pearls
Reporting Tips
Selected References
Vajapey SP et al: Treatment of extensor tendon disruption after total knee arthroplasty: a systematic review. J Arthroplasty. 34(6):1279-86, 2019
Flores DV et al: Layered approach to the anterior knee: normal anatomy and disorders associated with anterior knee pain. Radiographics. 38(7):2069-101, 2018
Long JR et al: Postoperative imaging of the knee extensor mechanism. Semin Musculoskelet Radiol. 22(4):424-34, 2018
Zribi W et al: Spontaneous and simultaneous complete bilateral rupture of the quadriceps tendon in a patient receiving hemodialysis: a case report and literature review. World J Orthop. 9(9):180-4, 2018
McMahon CJ et al: The extensor mechanism: imaging and intervention. Semin Musculoskelet Radiol. 21(2):89-101, 2017
Severyns M et al: Arthroscopic suture repair of acute quadriceps tendon ruptures. Orthop Traumatol Surg Res. 103(3):377-80, 2017
Zuke WA et al: Quadriceps tendon rupture in an adolescent athlete. Case Rep Orthop. 2017:2718013, 2017
Yablon CM et al: Magnetic resonance imaging of the extensor mechanism. Magn Reson Imaging Clin N Am. 22(4):601-20, 2014
Lee D et al: Quadriceps and patellar tendon ruptures. J Knee Surg. 26(5):301-8, 2013
Hak DJ et al: Quadriceps tendon injuries. Orthopedics. 33(1):40-6, 2010
Basic-Jukic N et al: Spontaneous tendon ruptures in patients with end-stage renal disease. Kidney Blood Press Res. 32(1):32-6, 2009
Yun HH et al: Calcific tendinitis of the rectus femoris. Orthopedics. 32(7):490, 2009
Bimmel R et al: Quadriceps tendon rupture and periosteal sleeve avulsion fracture of the proximal patella pole in an active adolescent. Orthopedics. 31(7):716, 2008
LaRocco BG et al: Ultrasound diagnosis of quadriceps tendon rupture. J Emerg Med. 35(3):293-5, 2008
McKinney B et al: Intra-articular knee injuries in patients with knee extensor mechanism ruptures. Knee Surg Sports Traumatol Arthrosc. 16(7):633-8, 2008
Pfirrmann CW et al: Quadriceps tendinosis and patellar tendinosis in professional beach volleyball players: sonographic findings in correlation with clinical symptoms. Eur Radiol. 18(8):1703-9, 2008
Sonin AH: Magnetic resonance imaging of the extensor mechanism. Magn Reson Imaging Clin N Am. 2(3):401-11, 1994
Yu JS et al: MR imaging of injuries of the extensor mechanism of the knee. Radiographics. 14(3):541-51, 1994
Related Anatomy
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Related Differential Diagnoses
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References
Tables
Tables
KEY FACTS
Terminology
Imaging
Top Differential Diagnoses
Pathology
Clinical Issues
TERMINOLOGY
Synonyms
Quadriceps rupture, quadriceps tear, quad tear
Definitions
Partial or complete disruption of distal myotendinous units of quadriceps mechanism of thigh
Quadriceps tendon: common distal tendon unit for rectus femoris, vastus medialis, vastus intermedius, and vastus lateralis muscles inserting on patella
IMAGING
General Features
Radiographic Findings
CT Findings
MR Findings
Ultrasonographic Findings
Imaging Recommendations
DIFFERENTIAL DIAGNOSIS
PATHOLOGY
General Features
Staging, Grading, & Classification
Gross Pathologic & Surgical Features
CLINICAL ISSUES
Presentation
Demographics
Natural History & Prognosis
Treatment
DIAGNOSTIC CHECKLIST
Consider
Image Interpretation Pearls
Reporting Tips
Selected References
Vajapey SP et al: Treatment of extensor tendon disruption after total knee arthroplasty: a systematic review. J Arthroplasty. 34(6):1279-86, 2019
Flores DV et al: Layered approach to the anterior knee: normal anatomy and disorders associated with anterior knee pain. Radiographics. 38(7):2069-101, 2018
Long JR et al: Postoperative imaging of the knee extensor mechanism. Semin Musculoskelet Radiol. 22(4):424-34, 2018
Zribi W et al: Spontaneous and simultaneous complete bilateral rupture of the quadriceps tendon in a patient receiving hemodialysis: a case report and literature review. World J Orthop. 9(9):180-4, 2018
McMahon CJ et al: The extensor mechanism: imaging and intervention. Semin Musculoskelet Radiol. 21(2):89-101, 2017
Severyns M et al: Arthroscopic suture repair of acute quadriceps tendon ruptures. Orthop Traumatol Surg Res. 103(3):377-80, 2017
Zuke WA et al: Quadriceps tendon rupture in an adolescent athlete. Case Rep Orthop. 2017:2718013, 2017
Yablon CM et al: Magnetic resonance imaging of the extensor mechanism. Magn Reson Imaging Clin N Am. 22(4):601-20, 2014
Lee D et al: Quadriceps and patellar tendon ruptures. J Knee Surg. 26(5):301-8, 2013
Hak DJ et al: Quadriceps tendon injuries. Orthopedics. 33(1):40-6, 2010
Basic-Jukic N et al: Spontaneous tendon ruptures in patients with end-stage renal disease. Kidney Blood Press Res. 32(1):32-6, 2009
Yun HH et al: Calcific tendinitis of the rectus femoris. Orthopedics. 32(7):490, 2009
Bimmel R et al: Quadriceps tendon rupture and periosteal sleeve avulsion fracture of the proximal patella pole in an active adolescent. Orthopedics. 31(7):716, 2008
LaRocco BG et al: Ultrasound diagnosis of quadriceps tendon rupture. J Emerg Med. 35(3):293-5, 2008
McKinney B et al: Intra-articular knee injuries in patients with knee extensor mechanism ruptures. Knee Surg Sports Traumatol Arthrosc. 16(7):633-8, 2008
Pfirrmann CW et al: Quadriceps tendinosis and patellar tendinosis in professional beach volleyball players: sonographic findings in correlation with clinical symptoms. Eur Radiol. 18(8):1703-9, 2008
Sonin AH: Magnetic resonance imaging of the extensor mechanism. Magn Reson Imaging Clin N Am. 2(3):401-11, 1994
Yu JS et al: MR imaging of injuries of the extensor mechanism of the knee. Radiographics. 14(3):541-51, 1994
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