Simultaneous anterior cruciate ligament and patellar tendon ruptures in an adolescent multisport athlete: A case report

Simultaneous rupture of the anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) and patellar tendon (PT) is a rare injury, particularly in adolescent athletes. Because these structures typically fail under different loading mechanisms, concomitant injury is uncommon and may be initially overlooked. Accurate diagnosis requires careful examination and advanced imaging. Post-operative management presents a unique challenge because ACL reconstruction and PT repair have competing post-operative rehabilitation requirements, particularly regarding weight-bearing and range of motion (ROM) progression. We report the case of a 16-year-old multisport athlete who sustained simultaneous ACL and PT ruptures while playing basketball. The injury was managed with a staged surgery to optimize rehabilitation. Eleven months after the initial surgery, the patient had regained full knee ROM and returned to competitive baseball. This case highlights the importance of recognizing combined ligamentous and extensor mechanism injuries in adolescent athletes and demonstrates how staged surgical management can balance rehabilitation priorities and facilitate successful return to sport.