Peroneal longus tendon rupture after fluoroquinolone therapy: A case study

Abstract

Fluoroquinolones are a class of antibiotics that are commonly used to treat gram-negative and gram-positive bacterial infections. Tendinopathies, most commonly affecting the Achilles tendon, are a possible side effect with the use of Fluoroquinolones. Tendinopathies may occur from two hours to six months upon starting a course of fluoroquinolones. This case study presents a patient who had a magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) confirmed peroneus longus tendon rupture with the presence of an os peroneum fracture after two courses of ciprofloxacin treatment, one course five months prior to the injury and the second course one month prior to the injury. Physicians and patients should monitor for tendon soreness and pain in the peroneus longus tendon in addition to the classically documented Achilles tendon following the use of fluoroquinolones.