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Traumatic quadriceps muscle tears among Israeli Special Forces Soldiers. Journal of the Royal Army Medical Corps [J R Army Med Corps] Journal article

 
TitleTraumatic quadriceps muscle tears among Israeli Special Forces Soldiers.
Author(s)Marom T, Itskoviz D, Kutikov S, Naftal JM, Ostfeld I 
InstitutionMedical Branch, Ground Forces Command, Israel Defense Forces, Israel. maromtal@013.net.il
SourceJ R Army Med Corps 2009 Mar; 155(1):24-6.
AbstractINTRODUCTION: Quadriceps muscle tear, secondary to direct trauma, is an uncommon injury in a military setting. Signs and symptoms of this injury are usually non-specific and may resemble other, more common and benign overuse injuries.
PATIENTS AND METHODS: Five Israeli Defense Forces Special Forces soldiers who were diagnosed with partial quadriceps muscle tears, following a "low-kick" exercise, aimed to the thigh, during "hand-to-hand combat" training. Diagnosis and follow-up were made using thigh sonography.
RESULTS: Symptoms duration before diagnosis was 20.6 +/- 9.41 days (mean +/- SD, range: 7-35). Two of the soldiers were found to have myositis ossificans at the affected site, a known complication of muscle trauma. Treatment regime included a long rest and intensive physiotherapy, with a gradual return to active service. Downtime from diagnosis was 55.8 +/- 17.3 days (mean +/- SD, range: 24-73). All patients eventually fully recovered and returned to active service.
CONCLUSION: Quadriceps muscle tear is a rare injury with a delayed presentation and diagnosis in highly motivated soldiers. Sonography facilitates diagnosis and monitoring of healing. Early diagnosis may decrease morbidity and allow earlier return to work.
Languageeng
Pub Type(s)Journal Article
PubMed ID19817084