Length, thickness, and elasticity of the patellar tendon after closed wedge high tibial osteotomy: a shear wave elastographic study

PURPOSE. To compare the length, thickness, and elasticity of the patellar tendon between operated and non-operated knees following closed wedge high tibial osteotomy (CWHTO). METHODS. Three men and 17 women aged 52 to 75 (mean, 64.8) years who underwent unilateral CWHTO by a single surgeon and were followed up for a mean of 11 (range, 5-22) years were included, as were 3 male and 17 female healthy controls aged 35 to 61 (mean, 47.9) years. The length, thickness, and elasticity of the bilateral patellar tendons in the patients and healthy controls were measured using shear wave elastography. RESULTS. In the CWHTO patients, the patellar tendon on the operated side was thicker (4.4 vs. 3.3 mm, p=0.001) and stiffer (74.1 vs. 47.7 kPa, p<0.001) than on the non-operated side. CONCLUSION. Patellar tendon contracture (thickening and stiffening) is associated with CWHTO.