Midterm outcome and strength assessment after proximal rectus femoris refixation in athletes

Abstract

Purpose Proximal rectus femoris avulsions (PRFA) are relatively rare injuries that occur predominantly among young soccer players. The aim of this study was to evaluate midterm postoperative results including strength potential via standardized strength measurements after proximal rectus femoris tendon refixation. It was hypothesized that the majority of competitive athletes return to competition (RTC) after refixation of the rectus femoris tendon without significant strength or functional deficits compared to the contralateral side. Methods Patients with an acute (< 6 weeks) PRFA who underwent surgical refixation between 2012 and 2019 with a minimum follow-up of 12 months were evaluated. The outcome measures compiled were the median Tegner Activity Scale (TAS) and mean RTC time frames, Harris Hip Score (HHS), Hip and Groin Outcome Score (HAGOS) subscales, International Hip Outcome Tool-33 (iHOT-33), and Visual Analog Scale (VAS) for pain. In addition, a standardized isometric strength assessment of knee flexion, knee extension, and hip flexion was performed to evaluate the functional result of the injured limb in comparison to the uninjured side. Results Out of 20 patients, 16 (80%) patients were available for final assessment at a mean follow-up of 44.8 ± SD 28.9 months. All patients were male with 87.5% sustaining injuries while playing soccer. The average time interval between trauma and surgery was 18.4 ± 8.5 days. RTC was possible for 14 out of 15 previously competitive athletes (93.3%) at a mean 10.5 ± 3.4 months after trauma. Patients achieved a high level of activity postoperatively with a median (interquartile range) TAS of 9 (7–9) and reported good to excellent outcome scores (HHS: 100 (96–100); HAGOS: symptoms 94.6 (89.3–100), pain 97.5 (92.5–100), function in daily living 100 (95–100), function in sport and recreation 98.4 (87.5–100), participation in physical activities 100 (87.5–100), quality of life 83.1 ± 15.6; iHot-33: 95.1 (81.6–99.8)). No postoperative complications were reported. Range of motion, isometric knee flexion and extension, as well as hip flexion strength levels were not statistically different between the affected and contralateral legs. The majority of patients were “very satisfied” (56.3%) or “satisfied” (37.5%) with the postoperative result and reported little pain (VAS 0 (0–0.5)). Conclusion Surgical treatment of acute PRFA yields excellent postoperative results in a young and highly active cohort. Hip flexion and knee extension strength was restored fully without major surgical complications. Level of evidence Retrospective cohort study; III.

Midterm outcome and strength assessment after quadriceps tendon refixation with suture anchors

“…3 Postoperative lower extremity strength and function was evaluated by measuring the single-leg hop for distance a and b , as well as isometric knee extension c and knee flexion d strength at 60° of flexion. Images a , c and d were used in a prior study [ 10 ] …”

Verletzungen der proximalen Rectus-femoris- und Adductor-longus-Sehne

“…Nach derzeitigem Stand der Literatur und eigenen Daten scheint eine operative Sehnenrefixation bei kompletter RF-Ruptur und einer retrahierten Sehne von ≥ 2 cm der konservativen Therapie überlegen[25]. Technisch hat sich die anatomische Refixation mittels nicht resorbierbaren Titan-Fadenankern mit geringer Rerupturrate und guter Primärstabilität bewährt[25,26,27].Ueblacker et al haben 4 Profifußballer nach Ankerrefixation nachuntersucht. Ein Return to Play konnte bereits nach 111 Tagen und ein vollumfänglicher Return to Sports nach 140 Tagen ohne subjektives Kraftdefizit absolviert werden[25].…”