Return to sport after patellar tendon rupture: A systematic review

Abstract

Background. Patellar tendon rupture is a rare and disabling injury that may occur during sport practice and is considered as the 4th stage of the Blazina’s classification of jumper’s knee. Return to sport after patellar tendon rupture has not been clearly assessed. Methods. Medical databases were screened, and article research extended from 1980 to April 2019. The inclusion criteria were report of more than 2 cases of isolated and complete uni-or bilateral patellar tendon rupture, patients over 18. Studies that did not specify patients’ ability to return to sport were excluded. Results. Nine studies, 196 patients and 202 patellar tendon ruptures were included. Mean follow-up ranged from 24 to 111.5 months and return to sport ranged from 52 to 100%. Crucial data were often lacking, such as the type of sport practiced, the pre-in-jury level of sport, and the delay of return to sport. A high proportion of patients did not report any medical history that could have weakened their patellar tendon before the rupture. Conclusions. The rate of return to sport seems good but our conclusions are restricted due to the studies’ low level of evidence. It highlights the need of a standardized report of specific data.