Levofloxacin-induced gastrocnemius tendon rupture: a case report

Abstract Background Fluoroquinolone group antibiotics are frequently used in various infections such as urinary system, respiratory system, skin, and soft tissue infections owing to their broad spectrum and good antibacterial activity. Various tendon pathologies, especially tendinopathy, have been r...

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Main Author: Sara Ileri
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: BMC 2025-05-01
Series:Journal of Medical Case Reports
Subjects:
Online Access:https://doi.org/10.1186/s13256-025-05281-4
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author Sara Ileri
author_facet Sara Ileri
author_sort Sara Ileri
collection DOAJ
description Abstract Background Fluoroquinolone group antibiotics are frequently used in various infections such as urinary system, respiratory system, skin, and soft tissue infections owing to their broad spectrum and good antibacterial activity. Various tendon pathologies, especially tendinopathy, have been reported in literature most commonly in the Achilles tendon, but gastrocnemius tendon rupture has never been documented. Case presentation A 58-year-old Caucasian white female patient had knee and calf pain that started 10 days after levofloxacin treatment. Various differential diagnoses were excluded, and finally a knee magnetic resonance image scan was performed owing to the patient’s history of diabetes and levofloxacin use 10 days prior. A significant effusion was detected in the lateral gastrocnemius muscle, and millimetric hypointense free tendon fragments were seen within the effusion. Therefore, gastrocnemius tendon rupture was diagnosed, and bed rest, extremity elevation, 900 mg acetaminophen, and cold application therapy were provided. During follow-up, the patient’s extremity pain subsided, and walking function improved. Conclusion By presenting this case, we aim to remind clinicians to keep in mind the rare tendon rupture possibilities other than Achilles tendon during fluoroquinolone group antibiotic therapy.
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spelling doaj-art-0793bd12332d4a72a1e8cc3397942bc22025-08-20T01:51:32ZengBMCJournal of Medical Case Reports1752-19472025-05-011911410.1186/s13256-025-05281-4Levofloxacin-induced gastrocnemius tendon rupture: a case reportSara Ileri0Ankara Dr. Abdurrahman Yurtaslan Oncology and Training HospitalAbstract Background Fluoroquinolone group antibiotics are frequently used in various infections such as urinary system, respiratory system, skin, and soft tissue infections owing to their broad spectrum and good antibacterial activity. Various tendon pathologies, especially tendinopathy, have been reported in literature most commonly in the Achilles tendon, but gastrocnemius tendon rupture has never been documented. Case presentation A 58-year-old Caucasian white female patient had knee and calf pain that started 10 days after levofloxacin treatment. Various differential diagnoses were excluded, and finally a knee magnetic resonance image scan was performed owing to the patient’s history of diabetes and levofloxacin use 10 days prior. A significant effusion was detected in the lateral gastrocnemius muscle, and millimetric hypointense free tendon fragments were seen within the effusion. Therefore, gastrocnemius tendon rupture was diagnosed, and bed rest, extremity elevation, 900 mg acetaminophen, and cold application therapy were provided. During follow-up, the patient’s extremity pain subsided, and walking function improved. Conclusion By presenting this case, we aim to remind clinicians to keep in mind the rare tendon rupture possibilities other than Achilles tendon during fluoroquinolone group antibiotic therapy.https://doi.org/10.1186/s13256-025-05281-4FluoroquinolonesTendon ruptureRisk factorsTendinopathy prevention
spellingShingle Sara Ileri
Levofloxacin-induced gastrocnemius tendon rupture: a case report
Journal of Medical Case Reports
Fluoroquinolones
Tendon rupture
Risk factors
Tendinopathy prevention
title Levofloxacin-induced gastrocnemius tendon rupture: a case report
title_full Levofloxacin-induced gastrocnemius tendon rupture: a case report
title_fullStr Levofloxacin-induced gastrocnemius tendon rupture: a case report
title_full_unstemmed Levofloxacin-induced gastrocnemius tendon rupture: a case report
title_short Levofloxacin-induced gastrocnemius tendon rupture: a case report
title_sort levofloxacin induced gastrocnemius tendon rupture a case report
topic Fluoroquinolones
Tendon rupture
Risk factors
Tendinopathy prevention
url https://doi.org/10.1186/s13256-025-05281-4
work_keys_str_mv AT saraileri levofloxacininducedgastrocnemiustendonruptureacasereport