Pathogenesis of tendon rupture secondary to fluoroquinolone therapy.

Tendon rupture related to trauma and corticosteroid injection, in and about tendon insertion sites, is well documented in the literature. Rupture of tendon after fluoroquinolone therapy has been identified in the recent past. Both short- and long-term courses of antibiotic treatment with fluoroquinolone may precipitate alteration in tendon matrix leading to tendinopathy with subsequent rupture. The pathogenesis of tendon rupture secondary to fluoroquinolone therapy is presented.