Article

The purpose of this study was to evaluate the results of surgery, in particular
arthroscopic procedures in the treatment of patellar tendinopathies that are
refractory to conservative treatment in athletes. METHOD: A retrospective
multicenter study was performed in four centers. Patients were athletes who did
not respond to carefully followed conservative treatment and who underwent
surgery. Sixty-four patients were included, 10 who underwent arthroscopy.
Patients were questioned and followed-up for an average of 22 months (6-116
months). RESULTS: At the final follow-up, 87% of the patients had an improved
Blazina score and 63% were again practicing their sport at the same level. None
of the preoperative factors influenced the final result and one surgical
technique was not more effective than another (patellar tip resection versus
arthroscopic approach). DISCUSSION: The results of this study are comparable to
those in the literature which show a success rate of more than 80% whatever the
surgical technique. This study limits a certain number of biases because the
patient group is homogenous (athletes, unsuccessful conservative treatment) with
similar functional scores, and well-defined protocols for postoperative
rehabilitation. However, the study of this entity is difficult because of the
limited number of subjects and its different anatomopathological forms.
CONCLUSION: Surgical treatment is indicated in motivated athletes if carefully
followed conservative treatment is unsuccessful after more than six months,
making it impossible to practice a sport (Blazina grade 3). Arthroscopic
techniques seem to be as effective as open surgery with an equivalent delay for
beginning sports activities.

Langue : FRANCAIS