TREATMENT OF PATELLAR TENDINOPATHIES IN ATHLETES

Purpose: Patellar tendinopathy is a frequent pathology which generally heals well after functional treatment if managed early.Material and methods: We report a retrospective analysis of thirteen high-level athletes who underwent surgery for chronic patellar tendinopathy. The disease was demonstrated by ultrasound, MRI, and plain radiographs. Four patients had insertion tendiopathies and nine had tendinopathies involving the tendon body. Six patients also presented a femoropatellar impingement demonstrated by arthroscan. The indication for surgery was total sports disability (Blazina stage III-b) after failure of functional treatment. Surgery consisted in systematic combing of the tendon after resection of degenerative tissue. Resection of the patellar apex was performed in the four patients with insertion tendinopathy. Lateral release was performed in patients with femoropatellar impingement and one patient with severe impingement required advancement of the anterior tibial tuberosity.Results: Outcome was...