Spontaneous complete hamstring avulsion causing posterior thigh compartment syndrome

Abstract

Complete avulsion of the hamstring muscle group from its ischial origin is an uncommon condition, and has been mostly reported in young athletes. A case is presented in which a middle aged man sustained this injury and developed a compartment syndrome of the thigh, which has not been previously reported. The surgical management of this patient is described.

Complete Proximal Hamstring Avulsions

“…3,25 Proximal hamstring tear has also been reported to cause posterior thigh compartment syndrome. 16,18…”

“…In many prior series, immobilization of the knee in some degree of flexion with a postoperative cast or orthosis lasting from 2 to 8 weeks has been reported. 1,2,4,7,11,12,16,20,26 In our series, we used no immobilization. Whether this is the reason for the reruptures with no reinjury in our study is not known.…”

Isolated biceps femoris rupture from the ischial tuberosity treated by surgical repair in a male rugby player

“…2,4,5,7,8 with the majority of reports involving avulsions of the complete hamstring origin. 2,4,5,7 The diagnosis of such injuries is usually based upon the history of a forceful incident involving maximal contraction of the hamstrings with the hip flexed and then knee extended. 6 Water-skiers and sprinters are commonly affected but other sports have been implicated.…”

Beckennahe Sehnenverletzungen

“…[3]. Selten kann das Phänomen der "schnappenden Hüfte" (Coxa saltans) mit hör-und fühl-barem, teils schmerzhaftem Schnappen beobachtet werden [4].…”