Deep Venous Thrombosis Complicating Rupture of the Medial Head of the Gastrocnemius Muscle

Rupture of the medial head of the gastrocnemius muscle ("tennis leg") is an affliction generally associated with athletic activity. The diagnosis is made by careful history and physical examination. Although its findings are characteristic, previous reports have documented misdiagnosis of this lesion as thrombophlebitis with resultant unnecessary anticoagulation and hemorrhagic complications. An unusual case is presented in which ipsilateral thrombophlebitis developed in a preexisting obvious case of tennis leg. This is believed to be the first such case reported in the literature and illustrates the possibility of both conditions coexisting in the same extremity.