Isolated Avulsion of the Biceps Femoris Insertion: A Case Report and Literature Review

Abstract

amstring injuries in athletes are common, but isolated avulsion or tear of biceps femoris tendon are a rare occurrence. Only a few case reports have been published. McGoldrick 1,2 has been credited as the first to report a case of spontaneous rupture of biceps femoris. Since then, there have been several other reports. [2][3][4][5][6][7][8][9][10][11] We report a case of complete avulsion of distal biceps femoris tendon from head of fibula with a review of previously published cases of isolated rupture of biceps femoris tendon to look for patterns in epidemiology, mechanism of injury, location of tear, treatment methods and their outcome. Case ReportA 34-year-old Brazilian football (soccer) coach was admitted to the emergency room after he felt a sudden pain and a pop in the lateral side of his right knee after kicking a football backwards with his heel. He was not able to walk afterwards. Physical examination showed mild swelling and marked tenderness in the posterolateral part of his knee and fibula head. Full passive flexion or knee extension was not possible due to pain. Active movement of his knee was also very painful. There was no gross instability of the knee. Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) scan showed avulsion of distal biceps femoris insertion at the head of the fibula with no other pathology (Figure 1).