Avulsion Injuries and Ruptures of the Proximal Rectus Femoris in Skeletally Mature, High-Level Athletes: A Critical Analysis Review.

JBJS Rev · Jul 14 2021 · Review

Knapik DM, Trasolini NA, Diaz CC, Chahla J, Forsythe B

Midwest Orthopaedics at Rush University, Chicago, Illinois

Sports Medicine

SUMMARY — THE REDUCTIONThis review finds operative suture-anchor repair of proximal rectus femoris avulsions in elite athletes restores strength and enables safe return to play, though evidence remains limited.
Abstract, as published

»: Injuries to the proximal rectus femoris remain rare, occurring primarily in soccer and American football athletes during kicking and sprinting because of its unique biarthrodial nature.

»: The appropriate diagnosis is dependent on careful physical examination and imaging interpretation.

»: While no universal treatment algorithm has been adopted for high-level athletes, recent investigations support operative repair using suture anchors to restore strength and function in order to allow an effective return to competition while minimizing the risk of injury recurrence.

»: Complications following surgical management include injury to the lateral femoral cutaneous nerve and hematoma formation, and there are reports of residual pain and weakness with chronic injuries that fail the initial nonoperative treatment.

»: Current investigations examining outcomes following treatment remain limited, warranting additional studies that examine patient-reported results, return-to-play rates, and the role of orthobiologics and accelerated rehabilitation protocols following injury to further improve athlete health and safety.

Featured in the 2026-09-29 issue.

← Psychosocial Barriers After Anterior Cruciate Ligament Recons…Mental Health Among Elite Youth Athletes: A Narrative Overvie… →

The Reduction is a free email digest of newly published orthopaedic literature — a handful of new papers in the subspecialties you choose, each summarized like this one. Subscribe free or browse the archive.