The direct muscular origin of the semitendinosus: a pitfall in categorization of proximal hamstring tendon tears.

The ischial origin of the hamstring musculature is complex. While the conjoint tendon and semimembranosus are commonly discussed and understood by radiologists, there is a lesser-known origin of the semitendinosus along the inferior and medial surface of the ischium in the form of a broad direct muscular connection. This secondary origin is infrequently described in the radiology literature and is a potential pitfall during grading of semitendinosus injuries if the interpreting physician is unaware of its presence. In a proximal hamstring tendon tear, the direct muscular origin of the semitendinosus can be spared, torn along with the conjoint tendon, or remain intact and contribute to a vertical shearing injury of the semitendinosus myotendinous junction. Detailed knowledge of this anatomy and its imaging appearance in the setting of injury enables the reader to correctly diagnose these unique hamstring injuries.

Surgical treatment of distal hamstring tendon injuries yield a higher return-to-sports rate: A systematic review.

PURPOSE: The purpose of this study is to compare the patient-reported outcomes and return to sports of the conservative and surgical treatment of distal hamstring tendon injuries. METHODS: Following the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses guidelines, two reviewers searched PubMed, Scopus and Virtual Health Library databases in January 2023. Clinical studies evaluating conservative or surgical management outcomes of distal hamstring tendon injuries were considered eligible for this systematic review if predefined criteria were fulfilled: (1) published in English or Spanish; (2) evaluated any of the following: patient-reported outcomes, return-to-sports rate (RTS-R) or return-to-sports time (RTS-T). Data were presented in tables using absolute values from individual studies and derived pooled percentages. RESULTS: Eighteen studies were included for 67 patients and 68 distal hamstring tendon injuries. Initially, 39 patients (58.2%) underwent surgical treatment, whereas 28 (41.8%) were treated conservatively. Among conservative treatment patients, 15 failed and had to be operated on (53.6%), all with distal semitendinosus tendon injuries. Anchor fixation was the technique of choice in 20 lesions (36.4%), tenodesis in 16 (29.1%), tenectomy in 14 (25.5%) and sutures were preferred in five (9%). Thirteen out of 28 patients (46.4%) undergoing initial conservative treatment returned to sports at a mean of 3.6 months (range 1 week to 12 months), in contrast to surgical treatment, in which 36 out of 39 patients (92.3%) returned at a mean of 4.2 months (range 6 weeks to 12 months). Additionally, 14 of 15 patients (93.3%) converted to surgical treatment after failed conservative treatment returned to sports at a mean of 7.6 months after injury. CONCLUSION: Initial surgical treatment of distal hamstring tendon injuries yields a high RTS-R (92.3%) at a mean of 4.2 months. Furthermore, 15 out of 28 patients (53.6%) initially treated conservatively had to be operated on, delaying the RTS-T (mean 7.6 months after injury) without affecting their RTS-R. LEVEL OF EVIDENCE: IV.

Non-surgical management of acute proximal hamstring avulsions can produce clinically acceptable results.

PURPOSE: To evaluate the mid-term clinical outcomes for the non-surgical and surgical management of acute proximal hamstring avulsions. METHODS: Sixty physically active individuals were offered surgical or non-surgical management for their proximal hamstring avulsion injuries. Distal retraction was defined as greater than 2 cm. Primary outcome measures were the Victorian Institute of sport assessment-proximal hamstring tendons (VISA-H) and functional assessment scale for acute hamstring injuries (FASH). Secondary outcome measures included palpable gap (cm), return to sport (RTS) and the ability to perform Nordic hamstring curls. Outcome variables were adjusted in regression models for gender, age, and treatment. RESULTS: Thirty-one patients elected to undertake non-surgical management, and 29 chose surgery with a mean follow-up of 34.8 ± 8.7 and 34.9 ± 7.0 months, respectively. The mean VISA-H for the non-surgical and surgical groups were 87.3 ± 3.4 and 87.9 ± 4.1 (n.s.), respectively. The mean FASH for the non-surgical group was 89.3 ± 2.4 and 88 ± 3.6 for the surgical group (n.s.). This was consistent after adjusting for confounders. The mean gap for the non-surgical group was 4.5 ± 1.09 and 4.9 ± 1.19 cm for the surgical group (n.s.). No significant differences were found in the abilities to perform Nordic hamstring curls (n.s.). Both groups achieved comparable RTS rates (n.s.). On average, the non-surgical group achieved RTS at 5.5 ± 1.2 months post-injury, whereas the surgical group was at 5.7 ± 0.7 months (n.s.). CONCLUSION: Physically active individuals with acute proximal hamstring avulsions and distal retraction of the tendon stump can be managed non-surgically, achieving similar functional levels and RTS compared to patients treated surgically. LEVEL OF EVIDENCE: Level III.

Surgical treatment of high-grade acute intramuscular hamstring tendon injuries in athletes leads to predictable return to sports and no re-injuries.

PURPOSE: The purpose of this study was to assess the post-operative return to sport and re-injury rates following surgical repair of acute, first-time, high-grade intramuscular hamstring tendon injuries in high level athletes. METHODS: Patients were identified using the databases of two sports surgeons. Once patients were identified their clinical notes and imaging were reviewed to confirm that all patients had injuries to the intramuscular portion of the distal aspect of the proximal biceps femoris tendon. All imaging was reviewed by an experienced musculoskeletal radiologist to confirm diagnosis. Surgery for such injuries was indicated in high-level athletes presenting with acute hamstring injuries. All patients were operated on within 4 weeks. Outcomes included Tegner scores, return to sport, Lower Extremity Functional Score (LEFS), current hamstring symptoms and complications including re-injury. RESULTS: Eleven injuries (10 patients) were included in the study. All patients were male and Australian Rules Football players. Six patients were professional athletes and 4 semi-professional athletes. Median age was 24.5 (range 21-29) and median follow-up period was 33.7 months (range; 16-65). 91% were British Athletic Muscle Injury Classification (BAMIC) 3c and 9% were BAMIC 4c. 91% were classed as MR2 and 9% as MR3 on the simplified four-grade injury classification. Athletes achieved return to play (RTP) at an average of 3.1 months (SD 1.0) post repair. All but one patient achieved a Tegner score equal to pre-injury levels. Maximum LEFS was achieved by all patients. Minor pain scores (all with VAS < 1/10) on sciatic and functional stretch were recorded in 36% and 27% of patients respectively, with subtle neural symptoms (9%) and subjective tightness (36%) also noted. There were no surgical complications in our patient cohort. No patients had a re-injury or re-operation. CONCLUSIONS: Surgical repair of high-grade intramuscular tendon injuries of the biceps femoris hamstring muscle in athletes resulted in high levels of return to pre-injury sporting levels and no re-injuries. The intra-muscular tendon should be scrutinized when assessing hamstring injuries in elite sport and offer surgery in high-grade cases. LEVEL OF EVIDENCE: IV.

Increased time from injury to surgical repair in patients with proximal hamstring ruptures is associated with worse clinical outcomes at mid-term follow-up.

INTRODUCTION: Prior studies of hamstring tendon tears have reported varied findings on whether increased delay from injury to surgery is associated with worse outcomes. The purpose of this study was to determine whether increased time from injury to surgical repair is associated with worse clinical outcomes in patients with proximal hamstring ruptures. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Patients who underwent surgical repair of a proximal hamstring rupture from 2010 to 2019 were followed for a minimum of 24 months from surgery. A cutoff of 6 weeks from injury to the time of surgery was used to distinguish between acute and chronic ruptures. All patients completed patient-reported outcome measures (PROs) at the final follow-up. Multiple factors were analyzed for their effects on PROs including time to surgery, amount of tendon retraction, and demographics such as sex and age. RESULTS: Complete data sets were obtained for 38 patients at a mean follow-up of 4.9 years. All data is reported as a mean ± standard deviation. Patients who underwent acute repair of proximal hamstring ruptures had significantly greater Perth Hamstring Assessment Tool (PHAT) scores than those who underwent chronic repair (76.9 ± 18.8 vs 60.6 ± 18.2, p = 0.01). Increased time to surgery was significantly correlated with worse PHAT scores (ρ = - 0.47, p = 0.003). There was no difference in PROs based on the amount of tendon retraction, number of tendons torn, sex, smoking status, or BMI. CONCLUSIONS: This study found that acute repair performed within 6 weeks of injury appears to yield improved PROs compared to chronic repair. These data highlight the importance of timely and accurate diagnosis of proximal hamstring ruptures and early operative intervention for surgical candidates.

Proximal hamstring tendon avulsions: comparable clinical outcomes of operative and non-operative treatment at 1-year follow-up using a shared decision-making model.

OBJECTIVE: To prospectively evaluate 1-year clinical and radiological outcomes after operative and non-operative treatment of proximal hamstring tendon avulsions. METHODS: Patients with an MRI-confirmed proximal hamstring tendon avulsion were included. Operative or non-operative treatment was selected by a shared decision-making process. The primary outcome was the Perth Hamstring Assessment Tool (PHAT) score. Secondary outcome scores were Proximal Hamstring Injury Questionnaire, EQ-5D-3L, Tegner Activity Scale, return to sports, hamstring flexibility, isometric hamstring strength and MRI findings including proximal continuity. RESULTS: Twenty-six operative and 33 non-operative patients with a median age of 51 (IQR: 37-57) and 49 (IQR: 45-56) years were included. Median time between injury and initial visit was 12 (IQR 6-19) days for operative and 21 (IQR 12-48) days for non-operative patients (p=0.004). Baseline PHAT scores were significantly lower in the operative group (32±16 vs 45±17, p=0.003). There was no difference in mean PHAT score between groups at 1 year follow-up (80±19 vs 80±17, p=0.97). Mean PHAT score improved by 47 (95% CI 39 to 55, p<0.001) after operative and 34 (95% CI 27 to 41, p<0.001) after non-operative treatment. There were no relevant differences in secondary clinical outcome measures. Proximal continuity on MRI was present in 20 (95%, 1 recurrence) operative and 14 (52%, no recurrences) non-operative patients (p=0.008). CONCLUSION: In a shared decision-making model of care, both operative and non-operative treatment of proximal hamstring tendon avulsions resulted in comparable clinical outcome at 1-year follow-up. Operative patients had lower pretreatment PHAT scores but improved substantially to reach comparable PHAT scores as non-operative patients. We recommend using this shared decision model of care until evidence-based indications in favour of either treatment option are available from high-level clinical trials.

Proximal sciatic neuropathy secondary to hamstring tendon avulsion.

We herein present the exceptional case of a patient, who injured a sciatic nerve due to avulsion of proximal hamstring tendon in a motorcycle accident. The 63-year-old man was diagnosed firstly with an incomplete fracture of distal femur. A foot drop on the right side was observed when the full-length cast was removed two months later. The patient was referred to the neurology clinic and was diagnosed with a sciatic nerve lesion at the proximal level of the biceps femoris. Magnetic resonance imaging of the thigh showed a proximal avulsion of hamstring muscles tendon. The patient did not improve by short-term physiotherapy and neurosurgical intervention. Sciatic nerve injury can be a result of proximal hamstring avulsion in events such as motorcycle accidents even in the absence of complete or major femur fracture.

Proximal Hamstring Tendon Injuries: Diagnosis and Management.

Proximal hamstring tendon injuries are common among active and athletic populations and exist on a spectrum ranging from proximal tendinopathy to partial tears to complete avulsions. Imaging should include plain radiography as bony avulsions have been observed in skeletally immature patients. Magnetic resonance imaging is diagnostic in the setting of both partial tears and complete tears. A high-intensity (on T2-weighted images), crescent-shaped signal at the tendon-bone interface ("sickle sign") is indicative of a partial-thickness tear of the proximal hamstring tendons. In the setting of complete avulsions, magnetic resonance imaging is also useful in demonstrating the extent of tendon avulsion and quantifying the number of tendons torn. Nonoperative treatment for proximal tendinopathy, acute partial tears, and complete tears with minimal tendon retraction includes activity modification, eccentric stretching and strengthening, and potentially platelet rich plasma injections. Surgical repair should be considered for partial tears refractory to nonoperative management, acute tears with greater than 2 cm of distal retraction, and/or chronic retracted tears. The surgical approach is generally made through a transverse incision within the gluteal crease, which can be extended distally in a "T" configuration in the setting of chronic retracted tears. In the setting of chronic retracted tears, a sciatic nerve neurolysis may be required owing to scarring. Following the surgical procedure, a graduated rehabilitation protocol is commenced with the expectation for a return to full, unrestricted activities by 6 months postoperative, and excellent outcomes can be anticipated. Compared with repair of chronic tears, acute repairs have improved functional outcomes and lower re-tear rates.

Prognosis of Incomplete Avulsion of the Proximal Hamstring Tendon Is Determined by the Avulsion Location of the Proximal Hamstring Tendon Footprint.

OBJECTIVE: To test the hypothesis that prognosis of incomplete avulsion of the proximal hamstring tendon would be worse whether avulsion location reached the proximal part of the conjoined tendon (CJ) footprint or not. DESIGN: Retrospective chart review. SETTING: Outpatient specialty clinic. PATIENTS: We reviewed 345 consecutive athletes with hamstring injury. INTERVENTIONS: Based on magnetic resonance imaging, incomplete avulsion of the proximal hamstring tendon was divided into 2 cases according to avulsion location without (cases A) or with (cases B) avulsion of the proximal part of the CJ footprint. OUTCOME MEASURES: We compared the time until return to play, subjective outcomes, and success rate of avoiding surgery between cases. RESULTS: Incomplete avulsion of the proximal hamstring tendon was detected in 47 athletes (13.6%). Thirty-four athletes were classified as cases A, and 13 as cases B. Forty-two athletes (89.4%) were followed up until return to play. The median time from pain onset to return to play was significantly longer in cases B than in cases A (B, 39.3 weeks; A, 8.0 weeks; P = 0.00015). Subjective outcomes at return to play were significantly poorer in cases B than in cases A (P = 0.00054). Success rate of avoiding surgery were significantly poorer in cases B (55%) than in cases A (100%) (P = 0.00062). CONCLUSIONS: Incomplete avulsion of the proximal hamstring tendon was observed in 13.6% of hamstring injuries. Return to play, subjective outcomes, and success rate of avoiding surgery were significantly poorer with avulsion of the proximal part of the CJ footprint.

Reliability of MRI in Acute Full-thickness Proximal Hamstring Tendon Avulsion in Clinical Practice.

In clinically suspected acute full-thickness proximal hamstring tendon avulsions, MRI is the gold standard for evaluating the extent of the injury. MRI variables such as full-thickness free tendon discontinuity, extent of tendon retraction (>20 mm), and continuity of the sacrotuberous ligament with the conjoint tendon (STL-CT) are used in treatment decision-making. The objective was to assess the intra- and inter-rater reliability of these relevant MRI variables after acute full-thickness proximal hamstring tendon avulsion. Three musculoskeletal radiologists assessed MRIs of 40 patients with an acute full-thickness proximal hamstring tendon avulsion. MRI variables included assessment of free tendon discontinuity and continuity of the STL-CT and extent of tendon retraction. Absolute and relative intra- and inter-rater reliability were calculated. Intra- and inter-rater reliability for the assessment of tendon discontinuity was substantial (Kappa [ĸ]=0.78;0.77). For the retraction measurement of the conjoint and semimembranosus tendons, intra-rater reliability was moderate and poor (Intraclass correlation coefficient (ICC)=0.74;0.45), inter-rater reliability was moderate (ICC=0.73;0.57). Intra- and inter-rater reliability of the STL-CT continuity assessment was substantial and fair (ĸ=0.74;0.31). In conclusion, MRI assessment for full-thickness free tendon discontinuity is reliable. However, assessment of extent of tendon retraction and STL-CT continuity is not reliable enough to guide the treatment decision-making process.

High-grade intramuscular tendon disruption in acute hamstring injury and return to play in Australian Football players.

BACKGROUND: Recent literature has reported intramuscular tendon (IT) disruption is associated with longer return to play (RTP) following acute hamstring injury. OBJECTIVES: Investigate whether an increase in hamstring injury severity involving high-grade IT disruption and proximal injury location is associated with longer RTP times in elite Australian Rules Football (AFL) players. METHODS: Hamstring injury records and RTP times from one professional AFL club were obtained over six seasons. MRI of injuries was retrospectively reviewed by a musculo-skeletal radiologist blinded to RTP information. A simplified four-grade classification of acute hamstring injuries was developed based on IT disruption severity and proximodistal injury location. MR0 had no observable MRI tissue damage; MR1 involved muscle-tendon junction, myofascial and low-grade IT injuries; MR2 involved distal and/or single muscle high-grade IT injuries, and MR3 involved high-grade IT injuries of the proximal biceps femoris (BF) IT with concomitant injury to BF+ semitendinosus muscles. RESULTS: Forty-one injuries were available for analysis. Median RTP times were as follows: MR0, 14 days; MR1, 21 days; MR2, 35 days; and MR3, 88 days. For MRI-positive injuries (MR1, MR2, MR3), there was a significant difference in the distributions of RTP, with increased injury severity associated with increased RTP times (P < .001). The distributions of RTP were significantly different between MR1 vs MR2 (P = .008), MR1 vs MR3 (P = .002), and MR2 vs MR3 (P = .012). CONCLUSION: In elite AFL players, acute hamstring injuries with high-grade IT disruption identified on MRI were associated with increased times to RTP compared to injuries with low-grade or no IT disruption.

Proximal hamstring tendon avulsion injuries occur predominately in middle-aged patients with distinct gender differences: epidemiologic analysis of 263 surgically treated cases.

PURPOSE: Epidemiologic data of proximal hamstring avulsions have mainly been reported in relatively small patient cohorts. Detailed information on patient demographics, injury mechanism, and injury patterns is lacking in the literature. Since these injuries are rare and frequently misdiagnosed, a better understanding may help to increase awareness and to improve diagnosis of proximal hamstring avulsions. METHODS: A chart review was performed to identify all patients who had undergone surgical repair for complete proximal hamstring avulsions between 01/2006 and 02/2019 at the authors' institution. The following demographic and injury-specific data were obtained: Sex, age, body mass index (BMI), cause of injury (sports, activities of daily living, and others), presence of neurologic symptoms referable to the sciatic nerve, time to surgery, injury pattern (affected tendons), tendon retraction, and type of injury according to Wood et al.`s classification (Type 1: osseous avulsions, Type 2: tear at the musculotendinous junction, Type 3: incomplete avulsion from bone, Type 4: complete avulsion with only minimal retraction, and Type 5: complete avulsion with retraction > 2 cm). Data were analyzed for the entire study population and group comparison was performed with regard to sex, cause of injury, and the type of injury. RESULTS: A total of 263 patients were included (53% male). The mean age was 49 ± 13 years with most patients (56%) aged between 45-59 years. Most injuries occurred while participating in sports (52%) and injury type 5 was most commonly diagnosed (66%). Five percent of patients had sensory deficits referable to the sciatic nerve. Gender comparison showed that female patients were significantly older, predominantly represented in the age group 45-59 years, and most commonly injured during activities of daily living, whereas male patients were significantly more often represented in younger age groups, and the most common cause of injury was sports. Compared to Type 4 and 5 injuries, patients with a Type 1 injury were significantly younger and had a significantly longer time to surgery. CONCLUSION: Proximal hamstring avulsion occurs predominately in the middle-aged patient and only rarely in patients under the age of 30 years. No gender dominance exists. Female patients are typically older and get injured during activities of daily living, whereas male patients are younger and get injured more often during sports. These epidemiologic data may help physicians to make an accurate and early diagnosis. LEVEL OF EVIDENCE: IV.

Pickleball: Review and Clinical Recommendations for this Fast-growing Sport.

Pickleball is a single or doubles volley sport played with paddles and ball on a hardcourt. Growing in popularity in recent years, injuries can occur similar to racquet sports; however, there is a scarcity of references in the literature for sports medicine providers encountering these athletes and injuries. This review provides clinicians treating pickleball athletes with an overview of the sport, a case study demonstrating the significant injuries that can occur in pickleball, and a review of the available literature. We provide a discussion on common pickleball injuries, injury prevention strategies, and event coverage recommendations to better equip sports medicine providers with a base of knowledge and a clinical approach to treat these athletes, or "picklers," who enjoy this fast-growing sport.

Increased Prevalence of Femoroacetabular Impingement in Patients With Proximal Hamstring Tendon Injuries.

PURPOSE: To determine the prevalence of clinically diagnosed femoroacetabular impingement (FAI) in a consecutive series of patients presenting with proximal hamstring tendon injury and to correlate this with pelvic anatomic factors. METHODS: The prevalence of clinically symptomatic cam-, pincer-, and mixed-type and overall FAI was calculated among a consecutive series of patients presenting to a hip preservation clinic with a confirmed clinical and radiographic diagnosis of proximal hamstring tendon injury between 2012 and 2017. The presence of a cam lesion was determined by an alpha angle > 50° on radiographs and computed tomography radial sequences of the head-neck junction and a femoral head-neck offset ratio < 0.18. Clinical diagnoses of osseous impingement were determined according to accepted pathomorphologic signs and measurements. A diagnosis of FAI was confirmed by imaging findings of acetabular overcoverage for pincer-type FAI and the presence of an anterior or lateral cam lesion for cam-type FAI. RESULTS: Overall, 120 hips in 97 patients (mean age, 45 years) were included in this study. A clinical diagnosis of FAI was noted in 70.8% of hips (pincer-type 9.2%, cam-type 40.8%, mixed-type 20.8%), an approximate 2- to 7-fold increased prevalence in comparison with the general population from prior studies. CONCLUSIONS: The prevalence of FAI is high in patients with symptomatic proximal hamstring tendon pathology. Because FAI results in restriction of hip range of motion and altered pelvic tilt, future studies are warranted to investigate whether the presence of FAI acts as a predisposing factor for injury to the hamstring muscle complex. LEVEL OF EVIDENCE: Level IV, case series.

Abduction in Proximal Hamstring Tendon Avulsion Injury Mechanism: A Report on 3 Athletes.

Proximal hamstring tendon avulsions are typically sustained during forced hip hyperflexion combined with knee extension. We present 3 cases of athletes with a proximal hamstring tendon avulsion caused by an alternative injury mechanism that also involves a considerable hip abduction component (flexion-abduction injury mechanism). All cases had at least one concurrent injury of the medial thigh muscles, either on the ipsilateral or contralateral side. The 2 elite athletes with this injury mechanism returned to sport at preinjury level relatively quickly. A history of the flexion-abduction mechanism should raise suspicion of a hamstring tendon avulsion with concomitant injury of the medial thigh muscles. The magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) protocol should include both legs, and any concurrent injury may need to be addressed as well. In future studies, it would be interesting to investigate whether injury mechanism holds prognostic value in proximal hamstring tendon avulsions.

Accelerated rehabilitation results in good outcomes following acute repair of proximal hamstring ruptures.

PURPOSE: To assess outcomes of patients who underwent proximal hamstring repair utilizing an accelerated rehabilitation protocol with immediate weight bearing as tolerated and no bracing. METHODS: Retrospective chart review identified 47 proximal hamstring tendon repairs with suture anchors in 43 patients performed during 2008-2015. Rehabilitation included no immobilization or limited weightbearing. Patients were contacted by phone to assess outcomes utilizing the lower extremity functional score (LEFS), single-assessment numeric evaluation (SANE), and Marx activity scale. Overall patient-reported scores were calculated and results of acute and chronic repairs compared. RESULTS: Thirty-four patients (38 repairs, 80.8%) were available for follow-up at mean of 4.1 ± 2.0 years following repair. There were two re-tears: one complete rupture 5 weeks postoperative and one partial rupture 10 weeks postoperative in the chronic group. Patients in general reported low pain and good function with a mean LEFS score of 87 ± 21%, a mean SANE score of 88.1 ± 11.6, and a mean numeric pain score of 8.5 ± 15.3 in the last week and 12.2 ± 21.1 with activity. The acute repair group was noted to have a higher mean LEFS score (93.7 versus 79.8%, p = 0.004) and SANE score (91.3 versus 83.8, p = 0.047), and lower pain with activity (21.7 versus 4.8, p < 0.001) as compared to the chronic group. CONCLUSIONS: Repair of acute proximal hamstring ruptures results in good function and pain relief with the use of a rehabilitation protocol that does not require weight-bearing restrictions or bracing. LEVEL OF EVIDENCE: III, therapeutic.

Reconstruction of chronic proximal hamstring avulsion injuries using ipsilateral distal hamstring tendons results in good clinical outcomes and patient satisfaction.

PURPOSE: To report outcomes following proximal hamstring reconstruction employing an ipsilateral distal hamstring tendon autograft, in patients with chronic proximal ruptures. METHODS: Six patients presenting with a chronic proximal hamstring avulsion and a medial time from injury of 11.0 months (range 7-18), confirmed via magnetic resonance imaging, underwent proximal hamstring repair using a free graft harvested from the ipsilateral distal hamstrings. Patients were evaluated at 6, 12 and 24 months post-surgery, via the Perth Hamstring Assessment Tool, the Short Form Health Survey, the Lower Extremity Functional Scale, a Patient Satisfaction Questionnaire, the Active Knee Extension and 6 min walk tests, the single and triple hop tests for distance, and isokinetic knee extensor and flexor strength. Knee strength was assessed at 180° and 240°/s (total work, peak and average torque), and both mean absolute scores and limb symmetry indices (LSIs) comparing the operated and non-operated limbs were presented. RESULTS: Patients demonstrated good clinical improvement throughout the post-operative timeline in all subjective and objective outcomes. Mean knee extensor LSIs had recovered by 12 and 24 months. At 24 months post-surgery, while mean LSIs for knee flexor peak and average torque were at (or above) 90%, a significant difference still existed between the operated and non-operated limbs in knee flexor total work. At 24 months, five patients (83%) were satisfied with the results of the surgery, as well as their ability to return to recreational and sporting activities. There were two adverse events including an early deep vein thrombosis and a secondary surgery to remove a loosened staple. CONCLUSIONS: While isokinetic hamstring strength had not fully recovered by 24 months, this surgical technique demonstrated a high level of patient satisfaction and return to function, in patients with chronic proximal hamstring ruptures. As the clinical relevance, this surgical technique provides a viable option with good post-operative outcomes for patients with chronic proximal hamstring tears that cannot be approximated back to the ischium. LEVEL OF EVIDENCE: IV.

[Rupture of the distal biceps tendon]. / Rupturen der distalen Bizepssehne.

With an incidence of 3% of all biceps tendon injuries, rupture of the distal biceps tendon is a rare injury but can be associated with significant functional impairment of the elbow. In case of a complete rupture, the diagnosis can be made clinically with a pronounced power deficit, in particular for supination of the forearm. In cases of unclear symptoms magnetic resonance imaging should be included. Regarding the therapeutic approach, there is general consensus in the current literature that surgical treatment with anatomical reconstruction of the tendon footprint is superior to the conservative approach. Various surgical techniques with good biomechanical and clinical results are currently available but no clear superiority of a single technique has so far been demonstrated.

Bilateral snapping biceps femoris tendon: a case report and review of the literature.

Snapping biceps femoris tendon is an uncommon cause of lateral knee pain. We report the case of a 15-year-old athlete with bilateral snapping biceps femoris tendons, painful over his right lateral leg during exercise. He underwent elective exploration of the right knee which revealed an accessory biceps femoris tendon with attachment to the anterolateral tibia. The accessory tendon was released and reinserted onto the fibular head with a Krackow suture. There were no perioperative complications, and he returned to full sporting activities within 3 months. We describe the operative technique used and summarise the existing literature. Restoring the anatomy with release of the accessory tendon and reinsertion onto the fibular head is an effective technique in the management of knee pain due to snapping biceps femoris tendon. Other approaches include simple release of the anomalous tendon without reinsertion or partial resection of the fibular head. Partial resection of the fibular head is the only technique described in the literature with complication requiring a further operation on the same site. There remains a paucity of evidence in the literature regarding long-term outcomes required to inform the best operative approach. Further anatomical, intraoperative and radiological studies are required to delineate the true pathology of this condition.

Point-of-Care Ultrasound Diagnosis of Proximal Hamstring Rupture.

BACKGROUND: Acute proximal hamstring ruptures can be a diagnostic challenge in the emergency department. The revealing sign of large posterior thigh ecchymosis is typically not yet present; the physical examination is limited due to pain, radiographs can be unremarkable, and definitive testing with magnetic resonance imaging is not practical. These avulsions are often misdiagnosed as hamstring strains and treated conservatively. The diagnosis is made after failed treatment, often months after the injury. Surgical repair at that time can be technically challenging and higher risk due to tendon retraction and adhesion of the tendon stump to the sciatic nerve. CASE REPORTS: The first case illustrates an example of how delay in diagnosis can occur in both emergency medicine and outpatient primary care settings. It also shows complications and morbidity potential for patients who warrant and do not receive timely surgical repair. The second case illustrates physical examination findings obtainable during the acute setting, and the use of point-of-care ultrasound (POCUS) in facilitating an expedited diagnosis and treatment plan. WHY SHOULD AN EMERGENCY PHYSICIAN BE AWARE OF THIS?: Timely diagnosis of hamstring rupture is paramount to optimize patient outcomes for this serious injury. The best results are obtained with surgical repair within 3-6 weeks of injury. POCUS evaluation can aid significantly in the timely diagnosis of this injury. If the POCUS examination raises clinical concern for a proximal hamstring rupture, this may allow for earlier diagnosis and definitive treatment of proximal hamstring rupture.