Intramuscular Degloving Injury of the Rectus Femoris From Kickball: A Case Report and Review

Intramuscular degloving injuries (IDIs) are a rare and unique type of muscle injury where there is dissociation between the inner outer components particular muscle. This seen exclusively within rectus femoris (RF) due to its muscle-within-a-muscle anatomy represents 9% RF injuries. Despite significance this injury, limited knowledge exists regarding mechanism, management, prognosis IDIs, IDIs not currently included among various classifications. We present 38-year-old active male with one-week history acute onset right anterior mid-thigh pain palpable lump after playing kickball. Right thigh MRI revealed an IDI muscle, edema muscular portions retraction torn indirect myotendinous complex RF. He was managed physical therapy while being advised avoid aggressive quadriceps contractions, high-intensity, or high-impact exercise. first reported case that occurred in older recreational athlete (versus young competitive athletes), kicking sport other than soccer (kickball). emphasizes importance broader awareness heightened index suspicion assessing potential improve patient rehabilitation. Given understanding rarity we also provide comprehensive review describing