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Musculoskeletal and Sports Medicine

A Case of Bilateral Patellar Tendon Rupture

Friday, October 24, 2025
8:00 AM - 9:15 AM MT
Location: Kiosk 3

    Poster Presenter(s)

  • Ajit Kohli, DO

    Resident Physician
    State University of New York (SUNY) Downstate Health Sciences Univ PM&R Program
    Brooklyn, New York

    • Co-Author(s)

  • DS

    Daniel Sanchez, MD

    Resident
    One Brooklyn Health System/Kingsbrook Jewish Medical Center PM&R Program
    Brooklyn, New York

  • Eileen Lu, DO

    Resident Physician
    State University of New York (SUNY) Downstate Health Sciences Univ PM&R Program
    Brooklyn, New York

  • Stefan Hamaway, MD

    Resident Physician
    State University of New York (SUNY) Downstate Health Sciences Univ PM&R Program
    Old Westbury, New York

  • MR

    Marc Ross, MD

    Chair Department of physical medicine and rehabilitation
    One Brooklyn Health
    New York, New York

  • SA

    Sanjeev Agarwal, MD

    Program Director
    SUNY Downstate Health Sciences University
    Brooklyn, New York

Disclosure(s):
Ajit Kohli, DO: No financial relationships to disclose
Eileen Lu, DO: No financial relationships to disclose
Stefan Hamaway, MD: No financial relationships to disclose
Sanjeev Agarwal, MD: No financial relationships to disclose
Case Diagnosis: Bilateral Patellar Tendon Rupture

Case Description or Program Description: A 38-year-old male with depression, DM2, CKD stage 2, and asthma, previously independent in ADLs and IADLs, sustained bilateral patellar tendon ruptures at the time of eccentric loading prior to a jump shot while playing basketball. He underwent right knee inferior pole avulsion patellar tendon repair with Regeneten patch and left midsubstance patellar tendon repair with hamstring autograft augmentation and Regeneten patch. Postoperatively, he had bilateral wound vacuums, was WBAT in full extension knee immobilizers with no ROM, and required inpatient rehabilitation.

Setting: Inpatient rehabilitation facility

Assessment/Results: At admission, the patient presented with significant mobility and ADL impairments, requiring moderate to maximum assistance for transfers, bathing, and lower-body dressing. PT and OT evaluations noted decreased lower extremity strength, limited endurance, and impaired balance. Gait training began at 50 feet using a rolling walker with a 3-point gait pattern. The wound vacuums were removed at bedside on postoperative day 14 without complications, and progressive mobility training continued.
By discharge, the patient improved to indepdendent for bed mobility, indepdendent for transfers, ambulated 200 feet with a rolling walker and completed 20 stairs independently, adhering to ROM precautions.

Discussion (relevance): Rehabilitation following bilateral patellar tendon rupture is crucial for optimal recovery. Closed kinetic chain exercises enhance quadriceps strength and patellofemoral function while reducing reinjury risk. Early mobilization, progressive weight-bearing, and neuromuscular reeducation improve gait stability and lower extremity function. Balance and proprioception training mitigate fall risks and aid mobility.
The patient demonstrated significant gains in ambulation and ADL independence. Adherence to weight-bearing restrictions and structured interventions facilitated mobility restoration. Continued outpatient therapy is advised to optimize long-term functional outcomes.

Conclusions: Early, intensive rehabilitation improves strength, flexibility, and ADL independence, reducing long-term disability. Continued outpatient therapy is recommended to maintain progress and prevent complications.