Rehabilitation after a complete avulsion of the proximal rectus femoris muscle: Considerations from a case report

Baumgart C, Grim C, Heiß R, Ehrenstein P, Freiwald J, Hoppe MW (2021)

Publication Type: Journal article

Publication year: 2021

Journal

International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health Multidisciplinary Digital Publishing Institute (MDPI)

Book Volume: 18

Article Number: 8727

Journal Issue: 16

DOI: 10.3390/ijerph18168727

Abstract

Background: A complete avulsion of the proximal rectus femoris muscle is a rare but se-verity injury. There is a lack of substantial information for its operative treatment and rehabilitation; in particular there is a lack of biomechanical data to evaluate long-term outcomes. Case presenta-tion: The case report presents the injury mechanism and surgical treatment of a complete avulsion of the proximal rectus femoris muscle in a 41-year-old recreational endurance athlete. Moreover, within a one-year follow-up period, different biomechanical tests were performed to get more functional insights into changes in neuromuscular control, structural muscle characteristics, and endurance performance. Within the first month post-surgery, an almost total neuromuscular inhibition of the rectus femoris muscle was present. A stepwise reduction in inter-limb compensations was ob-servable (e.g., in crank torque during cycling) during the rehabilitation. Muscular intra-limb compensations were shown at six months post-surgery and even one year after surgery, which were also represented in the long-term adaption of the muscle characteristics and leg volumes. A changed motor control strategy was shown by asymmetric muscle activation patterns during ergometer cy-cling, while the power output was almost symmetric. During rehabilitation, there might be a benefit to normalizing neuromuscular muscle activation in ergometer cycling using higher loads. Conclu-sions: While the endurance performance recovered after six months, asymmetries in neuromuscular control and structural muscle characteristics indicate the long-term presence of inter-and intra-limb compensation strategies.

Authors with CRIS profile

Rafael Heiß Institute of Radiology

Involved external institutions

Bergische Universität Wuppertal DE Germany (DE) Klinikum Osnabrück DE Germany (DE) Universität Leipzig DE Germany (DE)

How to cite

APA:

Baumgart, C., Grim, C., Heiß, R., Ehrenstein, P., Freiwald, J., & Hoppe, M.W. (2021). Rehabilitation after a complete avulsion of the proximal rectus femoris muscle: Considerations from a case report. International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health, 18(16). https://doi.org/10.3390/ijerph18168727

MLA:

Baumgart, Christian, et al. "Rehabilitation after a complete avulsion of the proximal rectus femoris muscle: Considerations from a case report." International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health 18.16 (2021).

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