Soleus muscle anomaly in a patient with exertion pain in the ankle. A case report

A patient with soleus muscle anomaly and symptoms simulating retrocalcanear bursitis or peritendinitis of the Achilles tendon is reported. A soft bulge was observed anteromedially to the Achilles tendon some weeks after the onset of symptoms in soccer training. A clinical diagnosis of retrocalcanear bursitis was made and the patient received physiotherapy and two injections of corticosteroids during six months without pain relief. Due to the continuing symptoms surgery was performed and large mass of the anomalic soleus muscle in the Kager's triangle was removed. At the follow-up the patient was asymptomatic and had resumed his physical exercises and soccer training.