Tendon Ruptures

Various tendons about the lower limb can rupture, particularly during strenuous sporting activities.

The most commonly seen tendinous injuries seen are proximal hamstring avulsion, quadriceps or patella tendon rupture, Achilles tendon rupture.

Quadriceps and patella tendon ruptures almost universally require surgical repair, for any patient, ideally within an early time-frame.

Hamstring and Achilles tendon injuries are more varied in their management. Many patients, particularly if not young and pursuing competitive sports requiring explosive movement, do better from management without surgery. These tendons can heal without intervention and have successful outcomes. Selective patients such as the elite athlete cohort may do better with surgical intervention, in particular to maintain the optimal explosive nature of the tendon.

There are various other tendinous injuries in the lower limb, most of which do not perform better with surgical intervention, although there are exceptions such as the tibialis anterior tendon.