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Distal Biceps Injury

  • Distal Biceps Ruptures are a fairly uncommon injury among throwers, more often occurring in middle-aged men (40-60) when an eccentric force is applied to a flexed and supinated (palms-up) forearm

    ** Eccentric Force = occurs when tendon is lengthening while the muscle is maximally contracting

    Distal Biceps Injury 2

  • The biceps muscle is made up of two distinct muscle heads in the upper arm working primarily to supinate (palms-up) the forearm as well as flex the elbow by inserting on the radial tuberosity
  • Distal bicep injuries occur on a spectrum ranging from tendinosis (degeneration) to partial and complete ruptures where the tendon pulls off the radial tuberosity.

    Distal Biceps Injury 3

SYMPTOMS:

  • Patients will often describe a sudden eccentric extension force applied to a flexed elbow leading to a “popping” or “tearing” sensation in the front of the elbow
  • Complete ruptures may lead to immediate swelling and bruising around the elbow and upper arm as well as pain and weakness
  • Partial tears may have less swelling and bruising but will typically experience significantly more pain than complete ruptures
  • Both partial and complete ruptures will experience pain and weakness with forearm supination (palms-up) and elbow flexion

DIAGNOSIS:

  • In cases of complete ruptures, the muscle belly may retract into the upper creating a reverse “Popeye deformity” or clinically obvious bulge in the arm
  • The “hook test” uses the examiners index finger to hook or palpate an intact biceps tendon at the elbow going from lateral to medial
  • X-rays are helpful to rule out any fracture or bony abnormalities. However, an MRI is the gold standard for identifying distal biceps ruptures
  • MRI T2 Axial and Sagittal sequences can identify partial vs complete ruptures as well as the degree of retraction

Distal Biceps Injury 4

TREATMENT:

  • Treatment options are based on the degree of injury as well as patient’s activity levels
  • The standard of care for a complete tear is early operative repair of the ruptured tendon
  • In the case of a complete tear, patients treated non-operatively can expect significant reduction in supination strength and supination endurance (ex: turning a screwdriver) Pain is typically not a long-term issue with complete ruptures

NON-SURGICAL:

  • Partial tears may be amenable to nonoperative treatment depending on the patient’s activity level and physical demands on the arm
  • Nonoperative treatment includes allowance of full range of motion, NSAIDS, avoidance of weight lifting and return to activities as pain/weakness subsides
  • Patients who are unable to return to activities or have ongoing pain and weakness should consider surgery

OPERATIVE:

  • There are a number of reliable surgical techniques described to reattach the ruptured distal biceps to the radial tuberosity
  • A combination of sutures, anchors, screws and buttons are typically utilized to affix the tendon to bone
  • Tissue graft may be necessary in chronic cases or when the tendon has significantly retracted

Distal Biceps Injury 5

  • Schematic demonstrating suture button sewn to end of biceps tendon and placed back to insertion site through radius
  • X-ray demonstrating button placement against radius for attachment of biceps tendon
  • Ruptured Distal Biceps Tendon with chronic thickening of tendon at insertion site
  • Button sewn to healthy biceps tissue for repair

RECOVERY:

  • Early elbow range of motion is implemented within the first two weeks following surgery
  • Avoidance of active flexion and passive extension during the first 4-6 weeks to allow the tendon to heal
  • Light resistance strengthening is initiated at 6-8 weeks with progression as tolerated and full return to normal activities at 3-4 months
  • Return to play after rupture distal biceps reconstruction is typically 3-4 months after surgery when pain is minimal, and motion and strength has normalized
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