Chronic alcohol consumption as a predisposing factor for multiple tendon ruptures in unusual sites in a patient with rheumatoid arthritis

Clin Exp Rheumatol. 2007 May-Jun;25(3):461-3.

Abstract

Simultaneous bilateral patellar tendon ruptures are a rare complication of rheumatoid arthritis (RA). Systemic inflammatory diseases (RA, systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE), chronic renal failure, primary and secondary hyperparathyroidism, diabetes mellitus, obesity, sports activity, older age (>50) and drugs (prolonged use of high doses of steroids, local steroid injections and quinolones) are considered as potent predisposing factors for tendon rupture. We report a case of an alcoholic patient with RA and bilateral spontaneous tendon ruptures of the knees. Circumstantial evidence suggest that in this patient, chronic alcohol consumption, a very frequent cause of toxicity to striated and cardiac muscle, contributed to the injury.

Publication types

  • Case Reports

MeSH terms

  • Alcoholism / complications*
  • Arthritis, Rheumatoid / complications*
  • Disease Susceptibility
  • Humans
  • Magnetic Resonance Imaging
  • Male
  • Middle Aged
  • Patellar Ligament / injuries
  • Rupture, Spontaneous / etiology
  • Tendon Injuries / diagnosis
  • Tendon Injuries / etiology*
  • Tendon Injuries / pathology