Abstract
Isolated rupture of short head of biceps is a rare injury. There have been no published reports of rupture at the musculotendinous junction. We report two cases of complete rupture of the musculotendinous junction of the short head of biceps in young males both occurring during water skiing.
Two males sustained water skiing injuries where the handle was forced against the flexor region of the arm. Whilst trying to adduct and flex the extended arm, they both sustained complete musculotendinous ruptured of their short head of biceps.
Both underwent pre-operative magnetic resonance imaging and one underwent isokinetic strength testing of elbow flexion and supination.
Surgical repair was performed using absorbable sutures. One patient had the short head muscle belly flipped distally to lie in a subcutaneous plane in front of the elbow.
Post-operative management included cast immobilisation for three weeks then gentle range of motion exercises. Both patients recovered their full range of motion in the arm. There were no complications. Post-operative strength testing was performed and will be presented.
This is a unique series of complete musculotendinous rupture of the short head of biceps. The mechanism of injury was resisted adduction and flexion against the towrope handle with the arm in extension.
These ruptures occurred in high impact high velocity accidents. Surgical repair lead to an excellent outcome.
