How long does swelling typically last after patellar tendinitis surgery?

Duration of Swelling After Patellar Tendinitis Surgery

Swelling after patellar tendinitis surgery typically lasts 3-6 months, with significant improvement expected within the first 6-12 weeks post-surgery. 1, 2

Normal Post-Surgical Swelling Timeline

• Initial swelling is most pronounced in the first 1-2 weeks post-surgery as part of the acute inflammatory response 1
• Moderate swelling typically persists for 4-6 weeks as the healing process continues 1
• Mild swelling may remain for 3-6 months, gradually decreasing as the tendon heals 2, 3
• Complete resolution of all swelling typically occurs by 6 months in most patients 4

Factors Affecting Swelling Duration

• Surgical Technique: Arthroscopic procedures generally result in less swelling and faster recovery compared to open surgical techniques 5

  • Open procedures: Average 8-12 months for complete return to pre-injury activity levels 5
  • Arthroscopic procedures: Significantly faster return to sporting activities 5

• Post-Operative Management: Early mobilization can help reduce swelling duration 1

  • Early weight-bearing has been shown to reduce patellofemoral pain from 35% to 8% in patients with patellar procedures 1
  • Isometric quadriceps exercises in the first 2 postoperative weeks can accelerate recovery of knee range of motion 1

• Rehabilitation Protocol: Proper rehabilitation affects swelling resolution 1

  • Starting leg press exercises at 3 weeks post-surgery can improve functional outcomes 1
  • Progressive eccentric exercise beginning at 3 weeks may result in better outcomes without increasing swelling 1

Warning Signs of Abnormal Swelling

• Persistent or Worsening Swelling: Swelling that increases rather than gradually decreases over time may indicate complications 1
• Significant Pain with Swelling: Especially if accompanied by erythema extending >5 cm from the wound edge, temperature >38.5°C, heart rate >110 beats/minute, or white blood cell count >12,000/µL 1
• Swelling with Drainage: Particularly if purulent, may indicate infection requiring immediate attention 1

Monitoring and Management of Post-Surgical Swelling

• Regular Clinical Assessment: Using standardized measures like the Villalta scale which includes assessment of pretibial edema 1

• Imaging: If abnormal swelling persists, radiographs are the initial imaging modality of choice 1

  • Ultrasound can be used to evaluate quadriceps or patellar tendinopathy and soft-tissue complications 1
  • CT or MRI with metal artifact reduction techniques may be necessary if radiographs are inconclusive 1

• Swelling Management Techniques:

  • Relative rest of the affected area 1
  • Ice application 1
  • Eccentric strengthening exercises 1
  • Elevation of the limb to reduce venous pressure 1

Long-Term Outcomes

• Approximately 70-82% of patients achieve excellent results after patellar tendinitis surgery 2, 4
• Average time from surgery to resuming full sporting activity ranges from 6 weeks to 12 months, with most patients requiring about 7 months 2, 3
• Success rates for surgery are generally over 77%, with arthroscopic procedures showing slightly better outcomes (91% vs 87% for open procedures) 5, 3