Rectus femoris rupture

A rectus femoris rupture or tear is a condition in which one of the tendons at the front of the hip (rectus femoris) is torn. This tendon attaches to the front of the pelvic crest and the knee. This can cause pain in the front of the thigh, as well as in the groin.

The function of the rectus femoris is to flex the hip and extend the knee.

How does a rectus femoris tear occur?

A rectus femoris tear usually occurs suddenly. The core of the problem lies in the balance between load and load-bearing capacity of the tissue: if the force exerted on the tendon is greater than what the tendon can handle, the risk of a tear increases.

This injury is often seen in sports where the tendon is intensively loaded, such as football or sprinting.

Imagine an elastic band: a weak elastic band (the tendon) can break if you exert too much force on it. If you pull it explosively and hard, it will tear faster.

Strengthening the tendon and carefully building up the load are essential to prevent such injuries and make the tissue stronger again.

With a rectus femoris tear, you may feel pain in the front of the thigh, in the groin or at the knee. This pain can radiate to the knee, further increasing the discomfort.

Typical activities that can trigger symptoms include:

• bending the hip
• lifting the leg
• driving or getting in and out of a car
• standing up from a sitting position
• walking

These daily movements can feel painful or even restricted, depending on the severity of the tear.

The treatment of a rectus femoris rupture depends on the severity of the injury. Depending on the severity of the injury, the following treatments may be applied:

• Specific exercise therapy
• Lifestyle adjustments
• Injection
• Surgery (rectus femoris repair)

We will discuss with you which treatment option is most suitable based on your specific situation and needs.