Injuries to accessory head of rectus femoris in professional football players: anatomical description, imaging findings, and clinical implications

Recognizing anatomical variants is clinically important, as their characterization may explain atypical injury patterns and influence prognosis and clinical management. Identification of an accessory rectus femoris head on imaging can improve diagnostic accuracy, prevent misdiagnosis of injury severity and inform targeted rehabilitation strategies, thereby improving return-to-play outcomes.