Partially torn Quad Tendon (how possible is recovery without surgery)?

I’m 61 years old and writing this 30 days post surgery. I had a 100% quadriceps tendon tear. Nothing exciting. I fell down the stairs carrying a basket of laundry. I guess that’s a kind of mountain climbing.

I highly recommend purchasing and using what is called an AirCast immediately post-surgery. It is recirculating ice water under pressure. 20 minutes on and 20 minutes off for a week. Don’t use it when sleeping. It helps greatly with the pain and at least in my case kept swelling to a minimum. I was completely off pain meds in 3 to 4 days. I have been in an immobilization brace since surgery and was able to shower with my leg in a water tight bag 4 days post-surgery (brace comes off for the shower).

With the brace, I was able to put full weight on my leg 1 day post surgery. I started straight leg lifts with brace 2 weeks out and showering without the water tight bag. Lots of foot flexing and rotation. Starting week 3 have been removing brace with leg elevated and doing gentle rotation and leg massage to keep circulation up.

This is the beginning of week 4. I have done straight leg lifts with brace off and very carefully walked without brace. Leg feels solid with careful walking on flat, level ground for short distance. Primary attention is on not allowing any knee bend while moving. Compared to the knee surgery I had on my other leg as a kid, this is going great.

Jim.... best of luck to you. 

Heal up, keep us posted.

Great posts. Thanks to all for sharing. In October 2017 I suffered what was labeled as a high grade partial right quad tendon rupture.  The accident occurred during a slip and fall while descending a mountain on Maine's Appalachian Trail. I was in a great deal of pain but having some tissue left in place allowed me to walk 16 miles in a knee sleeve my buddy had with him. After xray, mri, surgical consult,  I was given the option of try to rehab or surgical repair. Surgery was recommended because of a visible gap in the mri and the fact that I wanted to get back to long distance hiking.  However it was said alternatively it would eventually heal on it's own but there was no way of knowing what level of strength would return. I elected surgery.  Now I am 5 months post surgery and doing pretty well. Probably 80%. I'm planning to hike in the Adirondacks in a few weeks with a brace just to get some work in and am hopeful I will return to the Appalachian Trail in August.  Partial tears are tricky. It was only after I saw the surgical photos that I knew I made the right decision.  Attaching a picture from before surgery.  No way that gap above the knee heels properly without being reattached.  All I can say is I feel your pain. Make a decision that's right for you.

Wow Ray, 5 months post op and you’re planning a hike! Even with a brace that sounds amazing.

I just had my 3 month post op exam today. 
I’m driving and have started leg extensions without any resistance. I have about 90-95 degree ROM at this point. Still not enough to clear the riser of a stair. That’s frustrating, but I’m working on it. At home, I’m mostly without the brace. I’m also trying to figure out how to use the stairs for some kind of rehab/range of motion/strength routine. 
Oh, this will seem unimportant but I have just accomplished being able to put on socks without tools. 
Like I tell most people who ask how I’m doing lately, I’m just putting one foot in front of the other.

Hi Jim, it is a frustrating injury.  No doubt.  Sounds like you are making progress which is great but you have to be patient.  Stretching is one thing that has helped me a ton and I mean a lot of stretching!  I went back and reviewed my rehab notes and see that I had reached a ROM of 155 at 12 weeks so a little ahead of you but it seemed to come back quickly after 90.  Hang in there I am sure you will feel better soon. Ray.

I am 74 y/o male who recently had total knee replacement. Sorry not a mountain climber or hiker but desperate for personal experience of outdoors active people with recovery of partial quad tendon tear. Have been very active with tennis and pickleball. Following my recent TKR and after PT and recovery, I was playing pickleball, went for a short backhand shot and POP, and intense pain. First ortho surgeon examined me and declared full rupture of quad tendon, since I was unable to lift leg, and he showed on xray that knee had dropped. Surgery scheduled in two weeks with 6 weeks in full leg cast; but within 4-5 days I was able to lift my leg as high as my other leg, and I could not see a discernable difference in position of knee caps when comparing other leg. So second opinion different ortho surgeon and surgery cancelled. After exam he recommended I continue to wear my demobilizer knee brace as if it were a cast and see him in 3 weeks. Appt. is in 4 days. I walk around the house with a rollator and am not in any pain. If anyone has gone the non surgical route how long was the rehab and return to at least 80% strength.

I think it will depend on how severe your partial tear is. You really need an MRI or at a minimum an ultrasound to Guage the extent of damage. The leg lift test alone is not a good indicator In my opinion.  

Ray Yeary wrote: I think it will depend on how severe your partial tear is. You really need an MRI or at a minimum an ultrasound to Guage the extent of damage. The leg lift test alone is not a good indicator In my opinion.  

Since I have recently had a full knee replacement, an MRI is not an option due to the interference of the image from the metal even though it is titanium, creates artifacts apparently. I have a followup with the ortho surgeon in a week at which point I am going to push for the ultrasound. I really hope a non-surgical option is a possibility. Thanks for your quick reply.

Jim Deane wrote

Like I tell most people who ask how I’m doing lately, I’m just putting one foot in front of the other.

That is a good plan. Keep up the PT. 

Ray-That’s a really cool photo of the meat... did Doc take that to show you the gore??
I had 27 staples holding the cut together.... I counted them as the Doc removed each one. Ouch
Jim Bail ....good luck

hi guys, yes we asked for photos and they obliged.  I was originally told that it would heal without surgery.  Just proves that partial tears can be misdiagnosed however  severe.

After followup with Ortho surgeon  after exam and determining I had good strength in lifting leg, the plan is to take the immobilizer brace off, and begin swimming pool exercises, recumbent bike exercise and daily leg lifts. As of today I am able to carefully go up and down stairs in a normal fashion, even walked two small dogs last two days. Leg getting stronger slowly every day. I am able to do more range of motion movements previously too painful. Knee is still weak, and doctor told me I still have a compromised spot and I am still at risk for quad tendon rupture. I have another followup in 3 weeks. My plan is to be very patient with the recovery and at this point not even considering getting back on the tennis court or pickleball court. I am at 7 weeks since the injury.

That sounds positive.  Take it slow brother.

Jim... dump the stic n ball sports. They are knee destroying activity.

I just helped dear old Dad hobble out of his ortho docs office.... knee #2 is on the way in 8 weeks. My dad was one heck of a tennis player and could easily beat me almost everytime well into his late fifty’s.

Jess saying

Heal up

Well, thought I would update progress. Knee continues to improve. Water walking, and water arthritis class 3 days a week+ has been very helpful. Ortho surgeon in fact after latest exam and evaluation said I could return to pickleball. However, I think that is from a strength of leg lift standpoint. I do not plan to start playing any time in the near future. (even though our community just opened a brand new pickleball complex of 14 courts). I feel the knee and leg needs more strengthening. I am content at this point to be walking without cane or anything and able to take our two dogs for their walks. Thanks for all the replies I have received from this forum. 

Update on the torn Quad. After 6 months of dedicated exercises 3-4 times/week, some high powered and frequent prayers by me and friends  and staying off the courts; my knee has now recovered with the nonsurgical option. I resumed playing pickleball first week in January. Playing with a sleeve type support both knees, and using the phrase "good shot" a little more often, plus taking couple days off in between playing.  No tournaments for me, just enjoying getting good exercise and rejoining the pickleball group. Missed the social aspect during this time off too. I have to borrow a phrase ol Clint Eastwood has used in recent interviews "You can't let the old man in"! 

Great news Jim :)

First, thank you all for sharing info on your quad tendon tears. I learned last Tuesday I have a “significant” tear of greater than 50%. My ortho recommended surgery but getting a second opinion tomorrow. Seems like many differing views on surgery vs non surgery. Confusing but glad to know I’m not alone. By the way 56 yrs old and slipped on only two stairs inside my house. Very painful when it happened but not so bad now. Thanks for heartening me and I will update. T

In my particular injury they were not able to diagnose the % degree of my tear, since MRI imaging would have been compromised by the existing knee replacement prothesis. Second opinions are always worthwhile for major issues like this. Good luck!

Had surgery last Friday and home recuperating. 4 weeks with immobilizer keeping knee straight and then PT for several months. 6-9 months for close to full recovery. Post op pain bad but worth price of knowing my repair should get me to a reliable recovery. 

Hello - just found this forum - read thru posts since trying to get info on healing quadriceps torn tendon time without surgery - injured 1/26/19, Xray at VA 2/7/19, MRI at local hospital 2/13/19, visit VA surgeon 2/14/19 - said surgery (didn't choose since 72 and hesitant about healing results) - he said brace for 3 weeks then surgery, since window short - got brace 2/18/19 - left message for him at 3 week time that still didn't want surgery and never heard back about scheduling any PT - using crutches still, with brace, going up and down stairs now, can walk with brace locked at straight - move brace to 30deg to get in car only - been wearing ace bandage wraping above, at and below knee cap, along with brace, all the time except in shower (sleeping and awake) - have 12 steps in and out of house, and 14 steps in and out of work - work sitting 8hrs five day week - started raising up on ball of foot no pain last week - no official PT sessions yet - bottom line is now at 6 weeks in brace, no pain, no swelling, so wanting to compare to anyone else that is in same position - read about ARP system (but can't afford $3000.00) - thanks - 4/7/19