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Show COLLEGE OF HEALTH UNDERGRADUATE RESEARCH ABSTRACTS PARTIAL PATELLAR TENDON TEAR IN A DIVISION I COLLEGIATE GYMNAST: A CASE STUDY Rachel Young (Katherine Lorens, Charlie Hicks-Little) Department of Exercise and Sport Science University of Utah Background: A 19 year old female, collegiate gymnast presented with a partial patellar tendon tear. The athlete woke up complaining of stiffness, swelling, and pain in her right knee. Examination by a certified athletic trainer indicated edema in the joint capsule and pain in the patellar tendon region. Athlete reported a previous history of a partial patellar tendon tear in the same knee. Previous partial tear was treated with platelet rich plasma (PRP) injections and a rehabilitation program. Differential Diagnosis: Mechanism of injury was on the landing of a front tuck on the beam. Possible diagnoses were patellofemoral syndrome, meniscus tear, patellar tendonitis or a partial patellar tendon tear. Treatment: A diagnostic ultrasound was performed and indicated a possible tear in the patellar tendon. An MRI was ordered for further clarification of the injury and to look for any possible anatomical abnormalities. The MRI confirmed the partial tear and revealed an abnormally shaped patella and scar tissue on the tendon. Though the previous tear healed with conservative treatment, it was decided to surgically repair the current partial tear and fix the abnormalities present in the knee. The surgery repaired the tendon, debrided the scar tissue, shaved d o w n the patella, and drilled holes in the tendon and patella to promote healing. Part of the rehabilitation program followed the step d o w n program by Shelbourne et al (2006). This rehabilitation program focused on eccentric training to reflect the normal stresses placed on the tendon. The athlete is expected to have a recovery time of nine to twelve months. Uniqueness: Information on partial tears is sparse in athletes and almost non-existent specifically pertaining to female gymnasts. Though the tear was in the location where the graft is usually taken for an Anterior Cruciate Ligament (ACL) reconstruction and does not normally bother those patients, because of the edema, irritation occurred and the athlete experienced pain. Rehabilitation for this injury is difficult for gymnasts because of the constant concentric and eccentric load placed on the tendon. Conclusion:The athlete m a y have predisposing factors causing recurring tears. It is possible for a partial tear to be greatly irritated by edema causing a need for surgical repair. Rachel Young Katherine Lorens Charlie Hicks-Little |