Purpose: The purpose is to evaluate the clinical outcome of patients who underwent excision of motion-limiting radioulnar heterotopic ossification (HO) as a complication of a distal biceps tendon repair. The hypothesis is that there are no measurable clinical losses that persist after excision.

Method: Between 1996 and 2005, eight consecutive patients were identified. All were treated with heterotopic ossification excision using a standard surgical technique, a single dose of postoperative radiation, four weeks of indomethacin, and a standard rehabilitation protocol. These individuals were studied and compared to a matched cohort of eight patients who underwent a distal biceps tendon repair with a similar surgical technique that was uncomplicated. At minimum follow-up of one year, all patients in both groups completed the Disabilities of the Arm, Shoulder and Hand (DASH) outcomes questionnaire, were tested for range of motion in elbow flexion/extension and forearm supination/pronation, and underwent biceps isokinetic dynamometry strength testing including elbow flexion and forearm supination. Both peak strength as well as muscle fatigue were quantified. Range of motion and strength comparisons were made both between groups and side-to-side within each group.

Results: There were no patients lost to follow-up. At mean follow-up of 56 months, there were no cases of nerve palsy, recurrence, or other complications. All patients in the HO group returned to their original occupation without restrictions. Mean arc of forearm rotation in this group increased from 19 to 151 degrees (p=0.01), but pronation (65 degrees) was less than the unaffected arm (p=0.01). There were no side-to-side differences in motion within the control group, or differences in peak strength or fatigue within either group. When comparing the two groups, there was a trend towards worse functional outcomes on DASH in the HO group than the controls (p=0.09). No differences were identified between the HO and control groups with respect to isokinetic torque, endurance strength or range of motion.

Conclusion: When patients develop motion-limiting heterotopic ossification after distal biceps tendon repair, surgical resection can safely lead to a functional recovery of elbow and forearm strength and motion. Level III Evidence, Case-control