Rupture of adductor longus tendon due to ciprofloxacin


Published online: Dec 27 2005

George Mouzopoulos, Mihalis Stamatakos, George Vasiliadis, Panagiotis Skandalakis

From Sparta Hospital, Sparta and Laiko Hospital, Athens, Greece

Abstract

We present a rare case of spontaneous rupture of the adductor longus tendon induced by ciprofloxacin. A 35-year-old man was diagnosed with pneumonia and was recommended ciprofloxacin 500 mg iv twice a day for 7 days. Three days after receiving the initial dose, he developed discomfort in his left medial thigh, and pain and swelling in the same area followed ten days later. He consulted us when he noted a palpable mass on the medial side of his left thigh, and MRI study revealed adductor longus tendon rupture. There was no obvious underlying disease or other factor causing fragility of his adductor longus tendon. We review the pathophysiological mechanisms leading to fluoroquinolone-related tendon rupture as well as the risk factors and discuss proper management.