Extreme case of torn patella tendon
A tear of the patella tendon usually occurs at an advanced age, when the tendon is already damaged by wear and tear. Typically, the trigger is considered to be heavy loads in the bent knee, such as jumping from an elevation when carrying heavy loads (for example, when unloading a truck). Sometimes the tear of the tendon can even be heard.
Typical symptoms of a torn patellar tendon are an inability to stretch the knee against resistance (stretching without loading the knee is usually still possible), possibly a raised kneecap and its wandering when the many-headed thigh muscle (M. quadriceps femoris) is tensed. In case of doubt, an ultrasound or an MRI will help to confirm the diagnosis. As a therapy, surgical anchoring of the patella tendon is usually used.
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