Quadriceps & Patellar Tendon Repair
Surgical repair of a torn quadriceps or patellar tendon with Dr. Steven Ward in Tucson and Oro Valley — reattaching the tendon to the kneecap so you can straighten your knee and walk normally again.
Call 520-881-1394Typical ranges for general education. Dr. Ward’s plan for you may differ.
What it treats
The quadriceps tendon (above the kneecap) and the patellar tendon (below it) work with the thigh muscles to straighten the knee. A complete tear of either one means the knee cannot straighten on its own.
- Quadriceps tendon tears — most often in middle-aged people who play running or jumping sports, typically from an awkward landing with the foot planted and the knee bent
- Patellar tendon tears — from a jump or landing, a fall onto the front of the knee, or a deep cut
- Weakened tendons — tendinitis, kidney disease, diabetes, rheumatoid arthritis or lupus, steroid use, certain antibiotics (fluoroquinolones), or previous knee surgery raise the risk
Symptoms include a tearing or popping sensation, pain and swelling, a dent above or below the kneecap, a kneecap that sits too low or too high, and a knee that buckles. A side-view X-ray often shows the problem; an MRI is sometimes used to confirm a partial or complete tear.
Is surgery right for you?
Small, partial tears often heal without surgery:
- A knee immobilizer or brace locked straight, typically for 3–6 weeks
- Crutches to limit weight on the leg
- Physical therapy, including straight-leg raises, with the brace gradually unlocked
Complete tears almost always need surgery. Do not wait: repair works best when it is done soon after the injury. After about a month, the tendon can scar and shorten, and a tissue graft may be needed to reach the kneecap.
How the surgery is done
Tendon repair is usually an outpatient procedure, with spinal or regional anesthesia, or general anesthesia.
- Drill-hole repair — strong stitches are placed in the tendon and passed through small tunnels in the kneecap, then tied with the right tension so the kneecap sits in the same position as on your other side
- Suture anchors — small implants in the kneecap hold the stitches, without the need for tunnels
- Extra protection — sometimes a wire, cable, or strong suture is added to protect the repair; it may need to be removed later
- Graft — if the tendon has shortened, donor tissue may be used to lengthen it
Skin stitches or staples are typically removed in the office about 2 weeks after surgery.
Call promptly after an injury
If you felt a pop and now cannot lift your leg straight or straighten your knee, call 520-881-1394 or go to an emergency room. A complete tendon tear is easiest to repair in the first days to weeks after the injury.
Recovery overview
Typical ranges only. Your plan depends on which tendon tore, the repair, and your health. Dr. Ward’s plan for you may differ.
Weeks 0–6
- Knee immobilizer or hinged brace locked straight
- Weight on the leg in the brace, with crutches or a walker, as allowed
- After patellar tendon repair, weight is often increased in steps: toe-touch at first, about half your weight by 2–4 weeks, and full weight by 4–6 weeks
- Skin stitches or staples removed about 2 weeks after surgery
Weeks 6–12
- The brace is unlocked step by step so the knee can bend a little more over several weeks
- Physical therapy restores motion
- Strengthening exercises are added as the repair allows
Months 4–12
- Complete recovery takes at least 4 months after a quadriceps repair and about 6 months after a patellar tendon repair
- Most repairs are nearly healed around 6 months; many people need up to 12 months to reach all of their goals
- Athletes return to sport after strength, endurance, and balance testing
When to call the clinic
Call 520-881-1394 if you notice any of the following after surgery or while you are recovering:
- A fever of 101°F or higher, or chills
- Redness spreading around an incision, or drainage that is cloudy, foul-smelling, or keeps soaking the dressing after the first few days
- New or worsening numbness, tingling, or weakness in the leg or foot once the anesthesia has worn off, or a foot that turns pale, blue, or cold
- Pain that is not controlled by your prescribed medication, ice, elevation, and rest
- Pain, swelling, or tenderness in the calf that is new or getting worse
- A new pop, or suddenly being unable to straighten the knee or lift the leg
It is normal for the knee to be swollen, bruised, and sore for a while, and for the leg to feel numb or weak until a nerve block or spinal anesthetic wears off. Use your crutches, walker, or brace as directed. Call if something feels different from what you were told to expect.
for chest pain, shortness of breath, or trouble breathing. These can be signs of a blood clot in the lungs and need emergency care.
If something does not match the instructions you were given, call the office. Dr. Ward or one of his physician assistants will get back to you.
Related resources
Knee post-op hub
Knee arthroscopy and knee replacement packets, rehab protocols, and anatomy guides.
Open pageExercise guides
Printable home exercise programs to use with your physical therapist.
Open pageKnee arthroscopy & meniscus resection
Dr. Ward’s knee arthroscopy page, including his meniscus resection rehab protocol.
Open pagePhysical therapy locations
Find a physical therapy clinic near you in Tucson and Oro Valley.
Open pageOrthoInfo: Quadriceps tendon tear
Patient education on quadriceps tendon tears from the AAOS. A companion article covers patellar tendon tears.
Visit OrthoInfoSchedule a visit
Call 520-881-1394 and we will find a time that works.
Call 520-881-1394Quick Links
Procedures
More on the site