[Rupture of the patellar ligament one month after treatment with fluoroquinolone]

[Article in French]

Saint F, Gueguen G, Biserte J, Fontaine C, Mazeman E.

Service d'Urologie, CHRU et Universite de Lille, 59037 Lille Cedex,, France.

Musculoskeletal disorders including arthralgia and myalgia are adverse effect common to all fluoroquinolones. We report a case of spontaneous rupture of the patellar ligament in a 37-year-old man participating in leisure sports which occurred one month after a three-week course of Ciprofloxacine(R). Several cases of tendon ruptures have been reported in the literature, including the patellar tendon. Unusual features in our case were the one-month delay before tendon rupture and the absence of inaugural signs. We reviewed the pathophysiological mechanisms leading to fluoroquinolone-related tendon rupture as well as the risk factors and discussed proper management. Care must be taken when prescribing fluoroquinolones for patients at risk. Close follow-up is most important.

Publication Types:

Case Reports

PMID: 10970974 [PubMed - indexed for MEDLINE]