Evidence map›Paper›PMID 42824921›Full record

ReviewCureus2026

Paediatric Patella Tendon Rupture: A Systematic Review.

Abu-Bakr I Ashfaq, Amaar A Ali

Abstract readReview
In one paragraph

Review in Cureus, 2026. The graph could read no effect estimate from its abstract, so it casts no vote on the map. Not yet cited in PubMed.

0numbers the graph read from it
0cells of the map it votes in
0citing papers in PubMed
–field-weighted citation impact
1 · What the graph read from it

What it found

Each row is one number read from the abstract, on the scale the paper reported it, with its interval. Left of the dashed line favours the treatment, right favours the comparator. Under each row is the sentence it came from. New to these charts? A ten-minute tutorial.

The abstract states no effect estimate the extractor could read, or names no intervention and outcome on the map, so this paper lights no cell and moves no belief. It is still indexed, cited and linked below.

2 · The registry

The trial behind it

Trials whose registry record cites this paper, or whose number appears in the abstract. A trial that started after this paper was published is citing it as background, not reporting it.

Neither the registry nor the abstract names a trial number. If this is a trial report, that itself is worth knowing.

3 · Its place in the literature

Who cites it

0 citing papers in PubMed.

No citing paper in PubMed yet.

4 · The record

Corrections and comments

PubMed lists nothing against this paper. Absence here is not a guarantee, only a check that was made.

5 · Who and what money

Authors and funding

2 authors.

Abu-Bakr I AshfaqTrauma and Orthopaedics, University College London, London, GBR.
Amaar A AliTrauma and Orthopaedics, Royal Lancaster Infirmary, Lancaster, GBR.

Funding

No grant is acknowledged in the PubMed record.

6 · The paper itself

Abstract

The patella tendon is an important part of the extensor mechanism, and ruptures can lead to significant impairment. The condition is rare in children and adolescents, and as a result, the paediatric literature is limited. Injury patterns may differ from those seen in adults. This systematic review therefore aims to evaluate the presentation, diagnosis, management and outcomes of patella tendon ruptures in children and adolescents. A literature search was performed using PubMed, Medline and Embase to identify studies based on the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-analyses (PRISMA) guidelines. The search period included all studies up until the 22nd May 2026. A total of 350 studies were identified from the initial literature search after duplicates were removed. Five studies covering 28 patients met the eligibility criteria and were included. Over 95% of patients with a patellar tendon injury were male. Basketball was the most common sport where ruptures occurred, and axial loading was the most commonly reported mechanism of injury. Distal patellar tendon ruptures were more common than proximal or mid-substance tears. Over 70% of cases had an associated tibial tubercle fracture, although this was affected by selection bias since 3 of the 5 studies specifically enrolled patients with tibial tubercle fractures. Three studies noted patella alta, or a high-rising patella, in all 10 documented cases of injury in which it was assessed. All patients were managed surgically predominantly via the use of transosseous tunnels or suture anchors. Reported outcomes were generally favourable and included active range of motion, the ability to weight bear, and quadriceps strength. To conclude, paediatric patella tendon ruptures are uncommon but should be considered in children presenting with acute knee trauma and extensor mechanism dysfunction, particularly where tibial tubercle fractures are diagnosed. Larger multi-centre studies with standardised diagnostic, operative and outcome reporting are needed in future research.

Indexed as

adolescentchildrenknee injuriespatella tendonsport injury

Identifiers

PMID42824921
PMCPMC13630274

What OpenQuestion holds

Textmetadata
Read underepoch 390

Registered trials

None linked

Read under generation 80e0d062 · epoch 390. Bibliography from PubMed, PubMed Central and OpenAlex; grants from NIH RePORTER; trial links from ClinicalTrials.gov; estimates, votes and beliefs from the OpenQuestion graph.