Proximal avulsion of rectus femoris in a nonprofessional football player: a delayed correct diagnosis

Muscle injuries are common in football players and rectus femoris is the most frequent injured muscle of the quadriceps. Proximal avulsion of the rectus femoris is a rare and severe injury. The majority of these cases was reported in professional, but not in amateur football players (AF), although AF represent the higher number of football players worldwide. A 31-year-old man nonprofessional football player had proximal avulsion of rectus femoris during a match and despite the severity, and pain of the injury, the correct diagnosis was made with an important delay. The magnetic resonance imaging showed a complete disinsertion of tendon muscle and the presence of fibrotic tissue. A conservative treatment was chosen and after the return to play he did not have reinjury during the season. Proximal avulsion of the rectus femoris is an uncommon injury in football. Despite the pain and the severity of the injury the correct diagnosis was made with delay in an amateur football player. This indicated that more attention should be devoted to AF, one the most numerous athlete categories worldwide.