The management of traumatic isolated inferior rectus rupture

Traumatic inferior rectus rupture is a rare cause of diplopia following blunt trauma in the absence of blowout fracture. We report the case of a heavy goods vehicle driver, aged 42 years, with isolated rupture of the inferior rectus following blunt ocular trauma. The technique of repair, using a Hummelsheim-type procedure, is described. Good alignment was achieved at 1 month following surgery, with an excellent field of binocular vision. Other than vertical diplopia on extreme upgaze, the patient was asymptomatic and remained so 15 months following surgery. He was able to continue his job without any significant visual concerns. The surgical outcome was better than that described in previous reports of inferior rectus rupture. We feel that a Hummelsheim-type procedure is a useful option in the management of inferior rectus rupture.