Journal of Clinical Case Reports

Knee Pain Associated with Rupture of Tensor Vastus Intermedius, a Newly Discovered Muscle: A Case Report

Abstract

Grob K, Fretz Ch, Kuster MS, Gilbey H and Ackland T

Introduction: Muscle strains within the quadriceps muscle group are common and occur mostly in the rectus femoris. We report a case of an isolated rupture of the tensor vastus intermedius (TVI); a muscle that has recently been described. It belongs to the quadriceps muscle group and is closely related to the vastus lateralis and vastus intermedius. Case presentation: A healthy 62-year old woman presented with a history of a sudden onset of left knee and thigh pain after stumbling and preventing a near fall. Rupture of the aponeurotic tendon of the TVI was diagnosed by magnetic resonance imaging (MRI). Conservative treatment was successful. Four months after injury the patient returned to her pre-injury level of activity. MRI evaluation five months post-injury revealed full resorption of the muscular haematoma and a healed TVI aponeurosis with scar tissue formation. Conclusion: Due to its anatomic appearance, lesions to the TVI may be overlooked. The isolated rupture of the TVI in the present case further supports the recent finding, that the TVI is a distinct anatomical structure independent of the adjacent vasti.