Introduction
Proximal rectus femoris (PRF) tears are relatively rare injuries among top-level athletes. PRF injuries are avulsions of both tendon heads (direct and reflected heads), of a single head and myotendinous. Some of this PRF injuries tend to progress to recurrent injuries.
Purpose
To describe a series of surgically treated PRF ruptures in soccer players ( Tegner 9-10) of the Instituto Cugat and the Mutualidad de Futbolistas Españoles between 2010-2020
Study Design: Case series; Level of evidence, 4.
Methods
36 cases of PRF injuries in professional soccer players treated surgically were retrospectively reviewed. Playing position, age, laterality, perioperative findings and return to play data were collected.
Results
Of the 36 PRF injuries, 17 were total avulsions (both heads), 2 were single-head tears and 17 were myotendinous union injury. Diagnosed through magnetic resonance imaging and later confirmed during surgery. All patients were males with a mean age of 26,41 (18-37). In 22 patients the injury mechanism was kicking and in 9 was sprinting. 21 of the injuries were on the right leg and 15 on the left. Most of the injuries were acute, 29, while only 7 were chronic. All 36 patients returned to their preinjury sports level, with a mean return to play of 19,87 weeks (14-36). The mean follow-up was 4,3 years (range from 1 to 10 years).
Conclusion
The repair of PRF tears in professional and semi-professional soccer players yielded good results and allowed all patients to return to their preinjury sports level.
Keywords: proximal rectus femoris injury; surgical treatment; sports injury; soccer