Isolated rupture of the soleus muscle: a case report

Injuries to the musculature of the posterior compartment of the calf are a frequent cause of pain, particularly among athletes. The majority of ruptures and strains in this area occur in the gastrocnemius muscle and, to a much lesser extent, in the plantaris muscle. We present a case of an unusual cause of calf pain--an isolated rupture of the soleus muscle--that developed in a 15-year-old girl after participation in a volleyball match. The injury was confirmed by T1- and T2-weighted magnetic resonance imaging. In this case, magnetic resonance imaging was helpful; however, the cost effectiveness of its use for this injury has yet to be proved.