A 43-year-old resident of Hiranandani Estate, Thane, has successfully regained complete knee movement after undergoing complex quadriceps tendon repair surgery at KIMS Hospitals. Following the procedure and a structured rehabilitation programme, the patient can now walk independently and fully extend his knee without any residual bend.
Severe Knee Pain and Difficulty Straightening the Leg
The patient initially sought medical attention after experiencing severe pain in his left knee and difficulty straightening his leg. During the clinical examination, doctors observed an extension lag of approximately 25 to 30 degrees, meaning he could not fully extend his knee.
Prior to consultation, he had already undergone X-ray and MRI scans. After reviewing the reports and conducting a detailed evaluation, doctors confirmed a quadriceps tendon tear, a serious injury that affects the knee’s ability to extend properly.
Initial Injury and Early Diagnosis
As per the press release, the patient reported that he had suffered a fall about a month earlier, which likely caused the tendon rupture. The initial MRI scan showed a gap of nearly 2 centimetres between the torn tendon ends, and doctors advised early surgical repair to prevent further complications.
However, after seeking multiple opinions and being told that the injury might heal on its own, the patient decided to delay surgery and opted for conservative management.
Delay Led to Worsening of the Condition
Over the next six weeks, the patient’s symptoms gradually worsened. He continued to experience a 30-degree extension lag and remained unable to actively straighten his knee.
A repeat MRI scan revealed that the situation had significantly deteriorated. The quadriceps muscle had retracted further, and the tendon tear had progressed into a chronic rupture with a gap of nearly 6 centimetres. At this stage, surgical intervention became essential due to the increased complexity of the injury.
Complex Surgical Repair Performed
The patient subsequently underwent quadriceps tendon repair surgery at KIMS Hospitals. Despite the chronic nature of the injury and the large gap between the tendon ends, the surgical team successfully mobilised and re-approximated the retracted tendon, achieving a strong and stable repair.
Successful Recovery with Rehabilitation
Following surgery, the patient underwent two months of structured physiotherapy and rehabilitation. With consistent therapy and guided exercises, he made remarkable progress in restoring knee strength and mobility.
Today, he can bear full weight on the affected leg, walk independently without support, and fully extend his knee without any residual bend, marking a successful recovery.
Expert Advice on Quadriceps Tendon Injuries
Commenting on the case, Dr. Mrinal Prakash, Consultant – Orthopedics, Joint Replacement & Sports Injury Specialist at KIMS Hospitals, emphasized the importance of early treatment.
“Quadriceps tendon tears are serious injuries that significantly affect knee extension and mobility. Early diagnosis and timely surgical repair are crucial. In this case, the delay allowed the tendon to retract further, increasing the tear from 2 cm to nearly 6 cm, making the procedure more technically demanding. With meticulous surgical repair and dedicated rehabilitation, the patient achieved complete functional recovery,” he explained.
Early Treatment Prevents Complications
Doctors highlight that delayed treatment can transform an acute and manageable injury into a complex chronic rupture, which requires advanced surgical expertise and longer recovery time. Therefore, individuals experiencing persistent knee pain, weakness, or difficulty straightening the leg after an injury should seek prompt medical evaluation and treatment.