It takes two quad tendons to tango: A case report about dancing to recovery post spontaneous bilateral quad tendon rupture and repair

Abstract

Abstract: Spontaneous quad tendon ruptures and resulting surgical repairs have shown to be disabling. Instances of bilateral quadriceps tendon ruptures (BQTR), although a rare occurrence, is more debilitating for the patient, making it harder to treat. Despite its rare occurrence, contemporary research shows a steady increase in incidences of all tendon ruptures, including BQTR, hypothesized to stem from more active lifestyles in the adult population as life expectancy increases.

Purpose: This case report focuses on ballroom dance specific intervention strategies used to achieve a full return to amateur ballroom dancing. This case features a non-simultaneous instance of BQTR, which required surgery on a 69 year old, relatively healthy male patient with a strong desire to return to ballroom dance activities.

Outcomes: Outcomes used to measure patient’s progress includes lower extremity functional scale, patient specific functional scale, and global rating of change scale

Discussion: BQTR is an extremely rare occurrence, providing a unique feature to this case. The therapeutic approach used to reach the patient’s goals is also unique in that it allowed for challenges in strength, proprioception, balance, and ROM, with dance specific activities throughout the protected phased approach which considered HOAC model of healing. Dance specific activity, as well as therapeutic alliance, have been shown to have great benefits with regards to functional outcomes as well as fall risk.