This paper is presented to describe a case of a ruptured patellar ligament and to detail its successful repair. Patellar tendons can be torn either by direct or by indirect violence. Direct violence presupposes a blow by a sharp instrument capable of severing the majority of the fibers of the tendon. Such an injury usually opens the knee joint and the ligamentous rupture becomes secondarily important. Fractures by indirect violence are much more common. If the leg is fixed and the quadriceps is caused to contract sharply, great strain is brought either to the patellar ligament or to the quadriceps tendon. The torque of the falling body, the contracting quadriceps and the extraneous forces determine the location of the tear. In the case reported, the patellar tendon was struck a direct blow, insufficient in force to break the skin but fixing the patellar ligament firmly against the tibial head and