Treatment of Patellar Tendinopathy Refractory to Surgical Management Using Percutaneous Ultrasonic Tenotomy and Platelet-Rich Plasma Injection: A Case Presentation

• Published in: PM & R Vol. 7; no. 12; pp. 1300 - 1305
• Main Authors: Nanos, Katherine N., MD, Malanga, Gerard A., MD
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: United States Elsevier Inc 01.12.2015
• Subjects: Basketball - injuries; Follow-Up Studies; Humans; Injections; Knee Injuries - complications; Knee Injuries - therapy; Male; Patellar Ligament - injuries; Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation; Platelet-Rich Plasma; Tendinopathy - etiology; Tendinopathy - therapy; Tenotomy - methods; Ultrasonic Surgical Procedures - methods; Young Adult
• ISSN: 1934-1482; 1934-1563
• DOI: 10.1016/j.pmrj.2015.06.439

Abstract Chronic proximal patellar tendinopathy is a common condition in sports medicine that may be refractory to nonoperative treatments, including activity modification, medications, and comprehensive rehabilitation. Percutaneous ultrasonic tenotomy is a recently developed technique designed to cut and debride tendinopathic tissue, thus promoting pain relief and functional recovery. We present a case of a collegiate athlete with chronic proximal patellar tendinopathy who was effectively treated with percutaneous ultrasonic tenotomy after not responding to extensive nonoperative treatment, surgical debridement, and platelet-rich plasma injections. Percutaneous ultrasonic tenotomy can be considered as a treatment option in patients presenting with refractory proximal patellar tendinopathy, including those who do not respond to previous operative intervention.