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Accessory soleus in the athletes: literature review and case report of a massive muscle in a soccer player

  • Ankle
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Knee Surgery, Sports Traumatology, Arthroscopy Aims and scope

Abstract

Accessory soleus is a rare congenital anatomical variant, which may manifest in the second/third decade of life as an exertional ankle pain and swelling or as an asymptomatic postero-medial mass. The incidence of this condition ranges from 0.7 to 5.5%. Many treatment options have been described in literature, including conservative treatment, excision, fasciotomy, release and closure of blood supply. We report a symptomatic massive accessory soleus (17 × 5 × 4 cm) in an 18-year-old male semi-professional soccer player. Excision of the accessory soleus was performed. The patient went back to the game 3 months after surgery. The literature review stated that either fasciotomy or excision of the muscle produce good results in the athletes.

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Acknowledgments

The authors acknowledge Laneune Baccam for the professional proof reading and the valuable help during the drafting of the manuscript.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Orthopaedics and Traumatology, University of Turin Medical School, Mauriziano “Umberto I” Hospital, Largo Turati 62, 10128, Turin, Italy

    Roberto Rossi, Davide Edoardo Bonasia, Alessia Tron, Andrea Ferro & Filippo Castoldi

  2. Corso Duca degli Abruzzi 57, 10129, Turin, Italy

    Roberto Rossi

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  1. Roberto Rossi
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  2. Davide Edoardo Bonasia
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Correspondence to Roberto Rossi.

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Rossi, R., Bonasia, D.E., Tron, A. et al. Accessory soleus in the athletes: literature review and case report of a massive muscle in a soccer player. Knee Surg Sports Traumatol Arthrosc 17, 990–995 (2009). https://doi.org/10.1007/s00167-009-0816-y

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