Complete tear of the distal hamstring tendons in a professional football player: a case report and review of the literature

Abstract

Semimembranosus tendon ruptures are rare and are often associated with involvement of the cruciate ligaments. We present a 24-year-old American football player who sustained a complete rupture of the semimembranosus tendon near its insertion associated with an avulsion fracture of the conjoint attachment of the lateral collateral ligament (LCL) and biceps femoris with intact cruciate ligaments and menisci during practice. At the scene he was immobilized and was taken to the hospital immediately. The diagnosis was reached after radiographs and an MRI of the affected knee were obtained. The semimembranosus tendon and the avulsion of the biceps femoris insertion were repaired surgically. We also review the literature for previously reported cases of distal hamstring injuries.