Patellar fracture and avulsion of the patellar ligament complicating arthroscopic anterior cruciate ligament reconstruction.

Arthroscopic reconstruction of the anterior cruciate ligament-deficient knee using the middle third of the patellar tendon is an effective treatment for acute or chronic anterior cruciate ligament insufficiency. The strength of this bone-ligament-bone graft is superior to virtually all other autogenous tissue utilized. We report the complication of avulsion of one half of the remaining patellar tendon from the tibia associated with patellar fracture in the early postoperative period.