If you can’t fully straighten your knee after a fall or awkward landing, you may have a quadriceps or patellar tendon tear. These tendons let you extend your leg, and a complete tear can make your knee buckle or keep you from lifting your leg straight.
Which Tendons Help Straighten the Knee?
Your quadriceps tendon connects your thigh muscles to the top of your kneecap, while your patellar tendon connects your kneecap to your shinbone. These tendons work together so you can straighten your knee when you walk, climb stairs, or stand up from a chair.
The American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons explains that a complete quadriceps tendon tear breaks this connection above the kneecap. A patellar tendon tear disrupts it below the kneecap.
What Does a Tendon Rupture Feel Like?
A tendon rupture often happens when your foot is planted, and your knee bends under a sudden load. You might feel or hear a pop, then notice pain, swelling, bruising, or even a gap above or below your kneecap.
The biggest warning sign is trouble straightening your knee. You might also notice:
- your knee buckles when you try to stand or walk;
- you can’t perform a straight-leg raise;
- your kneecap looks higher or lower than usual.
A partial tear may cause less dramatic weakness, so being able to move the leg doesn’t rule out a tendon injury.
Why Should You Have the Knee Checked Promptly?
A broken kneecap, tendon rupture, or other injuries can all cause similar pain after a fall. An orthopedic exam checks if your tendon is working and if you can keep your knee straight.
X-rays can show a fracture or changes in your kneecap position. If more detail is needed, an MRI can show exactly where and how much the tendon is torn.
Don’t keep testing the knee by repeatedly walking, squatting, or forcing it straight. If the leg won’t support you, avoid putting weight on it until you’ve received medical guidance.
Does Every Tendon Tear Need Surgery?
Small partial tears can often be treated with bracing, activity limits, and physical therapy. If the tear is complete, surgery is usually needed because the tendon can’t control your knee movement anymore.
Ortho Sport & Spine Physicians offers patella and quadriceps tendon repair after the injury has been properly evaluated. Dr. Michael Ferrell is board certified in orthopedic surgery, holds a Certificate of Added Qualification in Sports Medicine, and lists knee injuries and sports medicine among his areas of expertise.
FAQs
Can I walk with a torn quadriceps or patellar tendon?
You might be able to walk, especially if it’s a partial tear, but your knee could buckle or feel unstable. Just because you can walk doesn’t mean the tendon is intact.
Could a broken kneecap cause the same symptoms?
Yes. A broken kneecap can also cause swelling and make it hard to straighten your leg. An exam and imaging help tell the difference between a fracture and a tendon tear.
Schedule a Knee Injury Evaluation
If your knee popped, swelled, or won’t straighten after a fall or awkward landing, reach out to Ortho Sport & Spine Physicians. We’ll evaluate your injury, arrange imaging if needed, and talk through whether bracing, rehab, or surgery makes sense for you.
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