Cuthbert Andrew S, Nichols Deaquan J, Gorica Zylyftar, Lee Glenn E, Goodloe J Brett
Department of Orthopaedic Surgery, Virginia Commonwealth University School of Medicine, Richmond, United States.
School of Medicine, Virginia Commonwealth University School of Medicine, Richmond, United States.
J Orthop Case Rep. 2025 Sep;15(9):47-51. doi: 10.13107/jocr.2025.v15.i09.6010.
Chronic tears of the rectus femoris (RF) are common injuries in sports involving sprinting and jumping; however, there is limited data on management and surgical indications. This holds particularly true with severe and recurrent injuries. Conservative treatment with rest and physical therapy (PT) or surgical management with excision versus repair are current options. We present a case of a chronic tear of the RF that failed extensive conservative management and subsequently underwent pseudotumor excision and direct tendon-to-tendon repair with successful return to sport.
This case report describes a chronic injury to the indirect head of the RF in a 21-year-old softball player. The insidious onset was characterized by pain, edema, intramuscular hematoma, and decreased range of motion. The patient failed extensive conservative treatment, including 12 months of medication, PT, and activity modification. Surgical intervention and rehabilitation enabled the athlete to return to collegiate sport at the Division I level.
Surgical debridement with primary tendon-to-tendon repair of a chronic tear of the RF that fails conservative treatment may allow a quick return to sport at pre-injury level.
股直肌（RF）慢性撕裂是涉及短跑和跳跃运动中的常见损伤；然而，关于其治疗和手术指征的数据有限。对于严重和复发性损伤尤其如此。目前的选择包括休息和物理治疗（PT）的保守治疗，或切除与修复的手术治疗。我们报告一例RF慢性撕裂病例，该病例经广泛保守治疗失败，随后接受了假瘤切除和直接腱对腱修复，并成功恢复运动。
本病例报告描述了一名21岁垒球运动员RF间接头的慢性损伤。起病隐匿，表现为疼痛、水肿、肌内血肿和活动范围减小。患者经包括12个月药物治疗、PT和活动调整在内的广泛保守治疗均失败。手术干预和康复使该运动员能够恢复到一级大学体育水平。
对于经保守治疗失败的RF慢性撕裂，采用原发性腱对腱修复的手术清创术可能使患者快速恢复到受伤前的运动水平。
