Return to play after conservative treatment of complete adductor longus tendon rupture in a semi-professional football player: a case report with a 1-year follow up

This case report details the conservative management of a complete adductor longus tendon tear in a semi-professional forward footballer. The injury occurred while reaching for the ball with the uninjured limb, with the injured limb in closed kinetic chain. After confirming the injury severity with a magnetic resonance scan, the medical team opted for a conservative approach due to the small tendon retraction. Treatment was based on task progression, ensuring the player could complete exercises with tolerated pain. Rehabilitation consisted of unsupervised gym and on-field exercises progressed separately, including overall strength, mobility, adductor strength, balance, plyometrics, running, kicking and small-sided games. Additionally, pain during the squeeze test and eccentric adduction strength were assessed at different points. The player returned to play 96 days after the injury and has remained active since. The framework supported a safe return to play without surgery or the need for supervised rehabilitation sessions.