Musculoskeletal - Patellar Tendon Rupture Longitudinal
Caption
34 y/o M presented with swelling and pain inferior to his knee following hearing a pop when he jumped playing basketball. Pt unable to extend leg and x-ray demonstrated a high riding patella. Longitudinal ultrasound showed a hyperechoic tendon that is not continuous between the patella and tibia, with an anechoic area of hemorrhage consistent with patellar tendon rupture. Patellar tendon rupture can be diagnosed with H&P and POCUS can be used to confirm this diagnosis. In one study, diagnosis of tendon rupture by physical exam had a sensitivity of 100% and specificity of 76%, while diagnosis by POCUS had a sensitivity of 100% and specificity of 95%. Ultrasound is especially useful in patients who cannot cooperate with a physical exam, and serial ultrasound can also be used to monitor healing of a tendon rupture. Caroline Rago - MS4, Dr’s Bryan Jarrett and Joshua Schechter - Kings County Emergency Medicine