OPEN PATELLAR TENOTOMY FOR JUMPER'S KNEE: MR AND ULTRASOUND CORRELATION WITH CLINICAL OUTCOME

Abstract

1710 We report the appearances of ultrasound (US) & MR imaging before and after surgery for patellar tendinosis (jumper's knee) and correlate the post-operative appearances with clinical outcome. We performed preoperative patellar tendon imaging in 13 sportsmen (2 cases bilateral) treated with open patellar tenotomy for jumper's knee (US in all 15 subject tendons, MR in 10). Postoperative followup was by clinical questionnaire & examination (3 monthly to 12 m), US imaging (at 6 & 12 months) & MR imaging (at 12 m). RESULTS: Preoperative US and MR appearances were consistent with the diagnosis of jumper's knee. All 6 month (US) and 12 month (US & MR) scans revealed imaging abnormalities in the patellar tendon consistent with the clinical diagnosis of `jumper's knee'. However, at 12 months postoperatively, 11 of 15 (73%) subjects' tendons were rated clinically as either `good' or`excellent'. Neither US or MR imaging was able to distinguish the tendons rated as `good' or `excellent' from those rated as `poor' at 12 months. After open patellar tenotomy, clinical recovery was not matched by return to normal of MR and US imaging. Thus, US and MR imaging would not appear warranted in patients with persistent or recurrent anterior knee pain after open patellar tenotomy.