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CASE REPORT
Rupture of the flexor digitorum superficialis muscle belly during isometric weight training
  1. Whitney Chow1,
  2. John Dickson2,
  3. Umraz Khan2
  1. 1St Andrew's Centre for Plastic Surgery and Burns, Mid Essex Hospital Services NHS Trust, Essex, UK
  2. 2Department of Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery, North Bristol NHS Trust, Bristol, UK
  1. Correspondence to Whitney Chow; chowwhitney{at}yahoo.com

Summary

Isometric weight training is a well-recognised technique used by fitness trainers to increase muscle strength. We report a case of a flexor digitorum superficialis muscle belly rupture that occurred during this form of muscle training. Rupture of the belly of the forearm flexor muscles is rare. When the muscle undergoes tractional force in isometric weight training, there is a potential for it to rupture and result in the formation of a haematoma. This can lead to raised intracompartmental pressures which would require treatment with urgent fasciotomy. An awareness of this potential injury mechanism will help with early recognition and appropriate treatment.

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