EXTENSOR MECHANISM RECONSTRUCTION WITH AN ALLOGRAFT AFTER TOTAL KNEE ARTHROPLASTY

The authors report on a series of 15 knees in which an extensor mechan ism allograft was used to treat a rupture of the patellar tendon assoc iated with a total knee arthroplasty. Nine of the knees have greater t han two-year follow-up evaluation (average, 4.1 years; range, 2.3-7 ye ars). Postoperatively, the average flexion was 106 degrees. All but th ree patients achieved full passive extension. Sh of the nine knees had no extensor lag. The average postoperative clinical score for the fol low-up group was 78 points. Graft complications include one early graf t rupture, one early quadriceps junction failure, and one patellar com ponent loosening. One graft fractured after revision of a metal-backed patella.