Abstract
Repair of distal biceps tendon rupture is a subject that has received increasing attention in the past decade. In the active individual who desires as close to normal function as possible, repair of biceps tendon is recommended.
The author describes a tehnique with a single anterior incision and fixation with superanchors. This method was successfully used in 25 patients with excellent functional results. There were no failures and no complications of neurological injury. The single anterior incision approach in which superanchors are used is recommended as an alternative to the traditional two-incision method.
The Biceps brachii is an important flexor of the elbow and is the main supinator of the forearm. Avulsion of its distal tendon insertion is rare injury that mostly affects middle-aged men. It represents only 3% of all biceps tendon ruptures. There is an average of 1.24 spontaneous complete distal biceps ruptures per 100,000 people per year.
The decline in the number of distal biceps tendon ruptures with increasing age correlates with a decrease in at-risk activities after the fourth decade of life. Decreased vascularity, tendon impingement, degenerative changes of the distal biceps tendon and the use of anabolic steroids have been postulated to predispose to tendon rupture.
Our study shows that repair of distal biceps tendon ruptures using superanchors is safe and gives clinically objective and functional results similar to bone tunnel fixation.
We had no major complications, no suture anchor failures and no occurrence of synostosis and neurological injuries. We recommend the use of superanchors for the treatment of distal biceps tendon ruptures.
Theses abstracts were prepared by Professor Roger Lemaire. Correspondence should be addressed to EFORT Central Office, Freihofstrasse 22, CH-8700 Küsnacht, Switzerland.
