Musculotendinous junction (MTJ), myotendinous unit (MTU), rectus femoris (RF)
Synonyms
Hip flexor, flexor strain, anterior hip strain
Definitions
Myotendinous, tenoosseous, muscle belly, or epimysial/myofascial lesion causing pain on active thigh flexion
IMAGING
General Features
Radiographic Findings
CT Findings
MR Findings
Ultrasonographic Findings
Imaging Recommendations
DIFFERENTIAL DIAGNOSIS
PATHOLOGY
Staging, Grading, & Classification
Gross Pathologic & Surgical Features
CLINICAL ISSUES
Presentation
Demographics
Natural History & Prognosis
Treatment
DIAGNOSTIC CHECKLIST
Consider
Image Interpretation Pearls
Reporting Tips
Selected References
Serner A et al: Characteristics of acute groin injuries in the hip flexor muscles - a detailed MRI study in athletes. Scand J Med Sci Sports. 28(2):677-85, 2018
Tummala SV et al: Hip and groin injuries among collegiate male soccer players: the 10-year epidemiology, incidence, and prevention. Orthopedics. 41(6):e831-6, 2018
Lutterbach-Penna RA et al: Ultrasound of the thigh: focal, compartmental, or comprehensive examination? AJR Am J Roentgenol. 203(5):1085-92, 2014
Mendiguchia J et al: Rectus femoris muscle injuries in football: a clinically relevant review of mechanisms of injury, risk factors and preventive strategies. Br J Sports Med. 47(6):359-66, 2013
Kassarjian A et al: Current concepts in MRI of rectus femoris musculotendinous (myotendinous) and myofascial injuries in elite athletes. Eur J Radiol. 81(12):3763-71, 2012
Pierannunzii L et al: Case report: calcific tendinitis of the rectus femoris: a rare cause of snapping hip. Clin Orthop Relat Res. 468(10):2814-8, 2010
Bui KL et al: Iliopsoas injury: an MRI study of patterns and prevalence correlated with clinical findings. Skeletal Radiol. 37(3):245-9, 2008
Gyftopoulos S et al: Normal anatomy and strains of the deep musculotendinous junction of the proximal rectus femoris: MRI features. AJR Am J Roentgenol. 190(3):W182-6, 2008
Sanders TG et al: Avulsion injuries of the pelvis. Semin Musculoskelet Radiol. 12(1):42-53, 2008
Zajick DC et al: Spectrum of MRI findings in clinical athletic pubalgia. Semin Musculoskelet Radiol. 12(1):3-12, 2008
Geraci MC Jr et al: Evidence-based treatment of hip and pelvic injuries in runners. Phys Med Rehabil Clin N Am. 16(3):711-47, 2005
Niemuth PE et al: Hip muscle weakness and overuse injuries in recreational runners. Clin J Sport Med. 15(1):14-21, 2005
Tyler TF et al: The association of hip strength and flexibility with the incidence of adductor muscle strains in professional ice hockey players. Am J Sports Med. 29(2):124-8, 2001
Emery CA et al: Groin and abdominal strain injuries in the National Hockey League. Clin J Sport Med. 9(3):151-6, 1999
Khan K et al: Overuse injuries in classical ballet. Sports Med. 19(5):341-57, 1995
Related Anatomy
Loading...
Related Differential Diagnoses
Loading...
References
Tables
Tables
KEY FACTS
Terminology
Imaging
Pathology
Clinical Issues
Diagnostic Checklist
TERMINOLOGY
Abbreviations
Musculotendinous junction (MTJ), myotendinous unit (MTU), rectus femoris (RF)
Synonyms
Hip flexor, flexor strain, anterior hip strain
Definitions
Myotendinous, tenoosseous, muscle belly, or epimysial/myofascial lesion causing pain on active thigh flexion
IMAGING
General Features
Radiographic Findings
CT Findings
MR Findings
Ultrasonographic Findings
Imaging Recommendations
DIFFERENTIAL DIAGNOSIS
PATHOLOGY
Staging, Grading, & Classification
Gross Pathologic & Surgical Features
CLINICAL ISSUES
Presentation
Demographics
Natural History & Prognosis
Treatment
DIAGNOSTIC CHECKLIST
Consider
Image Interpretation Pearls
Reporting Tips
Selected References
Serner A et al: Characteristics of acute groin injuries in the hip flexor muscles - a detailed MRI study in athletes. Scand J Med Sci Sports. 28(2):677-85, 2018
Tummala SV et al: Hip and groin injuries among collegiate male soccer players: the 10-year epidemiology, incidence, and prevention. Orthopedics. 41(6):e831-6, 2018
Lutterbach-Penna RA et al: Ultrasound of the thigh: focal, compartmental, or comprehensive examination? AJR Am J Roentgenol. 203(5):1085-92, 2014
Mendiguchia J et al: Rectus femoris muscle injuries in football: a clinically relevant review of mechanisms of injury, risk factors and preventive strategies. Br J Sports Med. 47(6):359-66, 2013
Kassarjian A et al: Current concepts in MRI of rectus femoris musculotendinous (myotendinous) and myofascial injuries in elite athletes. Eur J Radiol. 81(12):3763-71, 2012
Pierannunzii L et al: Case report: calcific tendinitis of the rectus femoris: a rare cause of snapping hip. Clin Orthop Relat Res. 468(10):2814-8, 2010
Bui KL et al: Iliopsoas injury: an MRI study of patterns and prevalence correlated with clinical findings. Skeletal Radiol. 37(3):245-9, 2008
Gyftopoulos S et al: Normal anatomy and strains of the deep musculotendinous junction of the proximal rectus femoris: MRI features. AJR Am J Roentgenol. 190(3):W182-6, 2008
Sanders TG et al: Avulsion injuries of the pelvis. Semin Musculoskelet Radiol. 12(1):42-53, 2008
Zajick DC et al: Spectrum of MRI findings in clinical athletic pubalgia. Semin Musculoskelet Radiol. 12(1):3-12, 2008
Geraci MC Jr et al: Evidence-based treatment of hip and pelvic injuries in runners. Phys Med Rehabil Clin N Am. 16(3):711-47, 2005
Niemuth PE et al: Hip muscle weakness and overuse injuries in recreational runners. Clin J Sport Med. 15(1):14-21, 2005
Tyler TF et al: The association of hip strength and flexibility with the incidence of adductor muscle strains in professional ice hockey players. Am J Sports Med. 29(2):124-8, 2001
Emery CA et al: Groin and abdominal strain injuries in the National Hockey League. Clin J Sport Med. 9(3):151-6, 1999
Khan K et al: Overuse injuries in classical ballet. Sports Med. 19(5):341-57, 1995
STATdx includes over 200,000 searchable images, including x-ray, CT, MR, and ultrasound images. To access all images, please log in or subscribe.