Open AccessBilateral patellar tendon rupture in a weightlifter during an acute high-loading resistance exercise bout: A case study
Author(s) -
Laine A J Alexander,
Jabulani Thabani Mchunu,
Richard Kgabu,
Wayne Derman
Publication year - 2022
Publication title -
south african journal of sports medicine
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
eISSN - 2078-516X
pISSN - 1015-5163
DOI - 10.17159/2078-516x/2022/v34i1a11781
Subject(s) - medicine , workload , athletes , physical therapy , patellar tendon , presentation (obstetrics) , disease , tendon , physical medicine and rehabilitation , surgery , computer science , operating system
Bilateral patellar tendon ruptures are exceedingly uncommon, especially when they occur in individuals without predisposing risk factors or systemic disease. Due to its rarity, many cases are missed on initial presentation resulting in poor patient outcomes. Identifying associated risk factors aids in diagnosis and mitigates this oversight. We report a case of a healthy, recreational weightlifter who sustained bilateral patellar tendon ruptures during an acute high-loading resistance exercise bout. We discuss how a spike in acute workload may have predisposed our patient to this injury. Research into training load and athlete injury risk is currently in vogue, however, no studies have analysed whether poor load management increases the risk of tendon ruptures. This case prompts awareness for clinicians who diagnose and manage this injury and helps to stimulate the formation of educational initiatives for athletes and coaches, aimed at injury prevention.