Common knee concerns we treat
- Pain that limits walking, lifting, or sleep
- Stiffness, swelling, or reduced range of motion
- Sports injuries: acute or overuse
- Arthritis or post-traumatic joint changes
- Conditions other doctors couldn't resolve
Patellar Tendon Tear
A torn tendon below the kneecap
A patellar tendon tear is a partial or complete rupture of the tendon connecting the kneecap to the shinbone, most commonly a sudden injury during jumping or landing. Same-day or next-week evaluations across eight LA-area offices.
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Board-certified surgeons and podiatrists across eight Los Angeles area neighborhoods.
Book a visitOr call (323) 264-7600
What sets LAOSS apart
- Same- or next-day appointments at eight Los Angeles-area offices
- On-site imaging; PT coordinated with your in-network provider
- Conservative-first care, surgery only when needed
- Board-certified specialists, not generalists
Key takeaways
- A patellar tendon tear is one of many knee conditions our specialists evaluate every day.
- Complete patellar tendon tears need surgical repair, and the repair works best when done soon after the injury. Small partial tears can heal in a brace.
- When a procedure is the right call, we explain every option, recovery timeline, and return-to-activity milestone.
- On-site imaging at most offices and same-day appointments across eight Los Angeles-area locations.
What is a patellar tendon tear?
A patellar tendon tear is a partial or complete rupture of the tendon connecting the kneecap to the shinbone, most commonly a sudden injury during jumping or landing. Because a complete tear leaves the knee unable to straighten, prompt evaluation matters.
Treatment depends on how much of the tendon is torn. Partial tears, where the knee can still straighten on its own, are usually treated in a brace that keeps the knee straight, followed by physical therapy. Complete tears need surgery to reattach the tendon to the kneecap, and results are best when the repair is done soon after the injury.
Below, we walk through the anatomy involved, the symptoms and causes we most often see, how we diagnose a patellar tendon tear, and the full range of treatment options, from the simplest to the most involved.
Watch: Patellar Tendon Tear
This is a tear of a large tendon in the front of your knee. We call it the "patellar tendon." It connects the bottom of the kneecap to the top of the shinbone. It helps you straighten your leg. You can have a tear that doesn't go all the way through the tendon, or you can tear the tendon completely. A complete tear is a disabling injury.
Inside the knee.
The knee is the body's largest hinge joint: it bears your weight, absorbs impact, and lets you walk, run, and pivot. Cartilage and meniscus cushion the joint, while ligaments (ACL, PCL, MCL, LCL) keep it stable. Most knee problems come from wear of those cushioning surfaces or from twisting injuries that damage a ligament or meniscus.
Symptoms and causes of a patellar tendon tear
Common symptoms
- A sudden pop or tearing sensation
- Inability to straighten the leg
- Swelling and bruising at the front of the knee
- A high-riding kneecap (in complete tears)
Common causes
- Sudden jumping or landing force
- Direct blow to the front of the knee
- Chronic patellar tendinitis weakening the tendon
- Steroid use or fluoroquinolone antibiotics
How we diagnose a patellar tendon tear
You want answers, fast, and we're built to give them. Most patients leave their first LAOSS visit with a clear diagnosis and a written plan, not another referral chain.
Here's what your initial visit for a patellar tendon tear typically looks like:
- Detailed history: when it started, what makes it better or worse, what you've already tried
- Focused exam of the knee: range of motion, stability, strength, specific provocation tests
- On-site imaging at most offices: X-ray for bone, ultrasound or MRI when soft-tissue detail is needed
- A written plan with options ranging from conservative care to surgical procedures, in plain English
Schedule your evaluation at the LAOSS office nearest you.
How we treat a patellar tendon tear at LAOSS
Once we've confirmed the diagnosis, the next step is matching the treatment to the size of the tear and how well the knee can straighten.
Non-surgical care
Partial tearsNon-surgical care for partial tears
For partial tears when you can still straighten the knee on your own.
- Knee immobilizer or hinged brace locked straight for several weeks
- Crutches, with weight-bearing as your surgeon allows
- Physical therapy to restore motion, then strength
- Ice and anti-inflammatory medication for pain and swelling
- Repeat exams to confirm the tendon is healing
Surgical care
Complete tearsSurgical repair for complete tears
Minimally invasive and reconstructive procedures performed by board-certified orthopedic surgeons.
- Repair of the tendon back to the kneecap with sutures or anchors
- Reconstruction with a tendon graft for older (chronic) tears
- Brace and protected weight-bearing after surgery
- Staged physical therapy to regain motion and strength
Why experience matters.
Why experience matters
Knee care is highly technique-dependent. Volume, training, and judgment together determine the outcome you actually feel six months later.
- Precise diagnosis from imaging and exam
- Conservative-first care that avoids unnecessary surgery
- Surgical technique refined over thousands of cases
- On-site imaging + coordinated PT through your in-network provider
The LAOSS approach
Our knee specialists move stepwise: start with the least-invasive option that fits your situation, escalate only when it doesn't.
- Same-day imaging at most offices
- PT coordinated in your insurance network
- Board-certified surgeons performing the procedures themselves
- Direct access to your specialist between visits
Am I a candidate?
If most of these match your situation, an evaluation with a knee specialist is the next step.
You may be a candidate if
These signs typically point toward an in-person evaluation with a knee specialist.
- Pain or stiffness in the knee that lasts more than a few days
- Swelling, instability, or noticeable change in function
- Symptoms that limit walking, lifting, sleep, or work
- Previous treatment that didn't fully resolve the problem
- Imaging or exam findings that suggest an underlying issue
What evaluation includes
Your first visit is built to give you an answer the same day, not just another referral.
- Detailed history: onset, mechanism, what makes it better or worse
- Hands-on exam focused on the affected joint or region
- On-site imaging at most offices (X-ray, ultrasound)
- Clear plan with options ranging from conservative to surgical
- Same-day or next-day scheduling for any follow-up tests
ImportantSeek urgent evaluation for sudden severe pain, numbness, progressive weakness, or any sign of infection (fever, increasing redness or swelling).
Your knee recovery roadmap.
Recovery is rarely a straight line, but a clear plan with measurable milestones makes the path predictable.
- Days 0 to 14
Right after care
In the first two weeks we focus on protecting the tendon, with the knee held straight in a brace, and on controlling pain and swelling.
- Activity modification with clear do/don't guidance
- Ice, elevation, and pain control as needed
- Knee kept straight in a brace, bending only as your surgeon allows
- Follow-up scheduled to track healing
- Weeks 2 to 8
Rehabilitation
Physical therapy restores knee bending step by step while the tendon heals, and strengthening is added gradually.
- Gradual, guided increase in knee bending
- Manual therapy and soft-tissue treatment
- Brace and weight-bearing advanced as your surgeon directs
- Coordinated PT through your in-network provider
- Months 2+
Long-term care
Strengthening continues for several months, and return to sport or heavy work happens only when your surgeon clears it.
- Return-to-activity plan with measured benchmarks
- Home program tailored to your sport or job
- Maintenance visits or imaging if symptoms change
- Direct line back to your specialist if needed
Risks & considerations
What to weigh before you decide.
We talk through the risks and benefits with every patient. Informed consent is a conversation, not a form.
General considerations
Every orthopedic intervention carries a small set of standard risks. We screen, prepare, and monitor for these on every patient.
- Infection (rare with modern technique and prophylaxis)
- Bleeding or bruising at the treatment site
- Reaction to anesthesia or medications
- Need for additional procedures in some cases
Knee considerations
Some risks are tied to the structures we're treating in the knee. We discuss these in detail at your visit so you can weigh them against the benefits.
- Temporary stiffness or weakness during recovery
- Incomplete pain relief in a small percentage of cases
- Nerve or vessel irritation near the treatment area
- Need for follow-up therapy to fully restore function
Meet our knee doctors in the Greater Los Angeles area
At LAOSS, our knee specialists are board-certified and treat these problems every day. From minimally invasive arthroscopic techniques to joint replacement and arthritis management, our physicians bring decades of experience to every case. We have cared for Los Angeles patients since 2007, with one goal for each: less pain, better movement, and a return to the activities you love.
Meet your knee specialists.
Compare up to 34 providers
Accepting new patients
Hayk Stepanyan, MD
Total Joint & Sports Medicine
- Glendale
- Santa Fe Springs
- East Los Angeles
Care for a patellar tendon tear starts here
Don't let a patellar tendon tear be something you just power through. With same- or next-day appointments at multiple Los Angeles locations, you'll never wait weeks or months for answers. The same team handles your diagnosis, treatment, and recovery. Whether you need a brace and physical therapy or surgical repair, we plan it with you and coordinate each step.
Call or schedule online today to see a knee specialist in Los Angeles.
Common patellar tendon tear questions
- We start with a focused orthopedic exam and detailed history. X-rays are usually done in-office; MRI or ultrasound is ordered when soft-tissue detail is needed. Most patients leave the first visit with a clear diagnosis and a written plan.
Don't wait on pain.
Book a visit with a knee specialist at any of our eight Los Angeles-area offices.
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21 specialists · 8 offices
Greater Los Angeles
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