Background:Proximal rectus femoris (PRF) tears are relatively rare injuries among top-level athletes. PRF injuries can be avulsions of both tendon heads (direct and reflected heads) or of a single head, and some have a tendency to progress to recurrent injuries.Purpose:To describe a series of operatively treated PRF ruptures in professional soccer players.Study Design:Case series; Level of evidence, 4.Methods:Nineteen cases of PRF injuries (18 patients, 1 bilateral) in professional soccer players who were treated surgically were retrospectively reviewed. Perioperative findings with return-to-play data were recorded.Results:Of the PRF injuries, 10 total avulsions (both heads) and 9 single-head tears were seen on magnetic resonance imaging and were later confirmed during surgery. All 18 patients returned to their preinjury level of play (mean follow-up, 2.8 years [range, 1-11 years]).Conclusion:The repair of PRF tears in professional soccer players yielded good results and allowed all patients to return to their preinjury level of play.

Background:As compared with injuries involving muscle only, those involving the central hamstring tendon have a worse prognosis. Limited information is available regarding the surgical treatment of central tendon injuries of the hamstrings.Purpose:To describe the operative treatment and outcomes of central tendon injuries of the hamstrings among athletes.Study Design:Case series; Level of evidence, 4.Methods:Eight athletes (6 top level, 2 recreational) with central hamstring tendon injuries underwent magnetic resonance imaging and surgical treatment. The indication for surgery was recurrent (n = 6) or acute (n = 2) central hamstring tendon injury. All patients followed the same postoperative rehabilitation protocol, and return to play was monitored.Results:Magnetic resonance imaging found a central tendon injury in all 3 hamstring muscles (long head of the biceps femoris, semimembranosus, and semitendinosus) with disrupted tendon ends. In acute and recurrent central tendon injuries, full return to play was achieved at 2.5 to 4 months. There were no adverse events during follow-up.Conclusion:Central tendon injuries of the hamstrings can be successfully repaired surgically after acute and recurrent ruptures.

The reported incidence of premature physeal closure (PPC) in fractures of the distal tibia has varied between 5 and 36%, but there is no consensus on the cause. We wanted to determine incidence and predictors of PPC in distal tibia physeal fractures in a population-based patient cohort. Two hundred forty-one patients (195 Peterson type I–V fractures and 46 transitional fractures) treated for a physeal fracture of the distal tibia during a 5-year period in two tertiary-level teaching hospitals. Odds ratios (OR) for developing PPC for different parameters (Peterson fracture type, associated fibula fracture, primary and postreduction displacement, number of reductions and the method of treatment) were calculated by binary logistic regression analysis. In 195 children with Peterson type I–V fractures PPC was diagnosed in 21 children (11%), of which 11 (6%) had surgery at mean 14 months from the fracture to correct either angular deformity or leg length discrepancy. The incidence of distal tibia PPC is at least 0.05/1000 children. More than one reduction attempt was the most significant risk factor (OR 7.0) for PPC. Peterson fracture type, associated fibula fracture, initial or post-reduction displacement or type of treatment did not correlate with PPC. The incidence of distal tibia PPC is at least 0.05/1000 children. The number of reductions correlates positively with the risk of PPC.

Objectives: Hamstring injuries are common and can now be accurately diagnosed. In addition, novel surgical indications have been introduced. However, evidence-based guidelines on the hamstring injuries in management of top-level athletes are missing. Methods: The management methods and outcomes of treatment are classically based on relatively small case series. We discuss a novel concept based on the fact that each tendon of the hamstrings muscle should be managed in an individual fashion. Furthermore, suitable indications for hamstring surgery in athletes are introduced. Results: The present study introduces modern treatment principles for hamstring injury management. Typical clinical and imagining findings as well as surgical treatment are presented based on a critical review of the available literature and personal experience. Conclusion: Hamstring injuries should not be considered to be all equal given the complexity of this anatomical region: The three separate tendons are different, and this impacts greatly on the decision-making process and outcomes in athletes.