Ruptures of the distal biceps brachii tendon: results of three surgical techniques

The results of three different surgical techniques used for the treatment of 46 ruptures of the distal biceps brachii tendon in 45 patients were evaluated and compared. Mean follow-up time was 14 months. The 46 ruptures were categorised according to the surgical technique used for treatment. In Group I, 17 arms were treated using two incisions and transosseous suture fixation; in Group II, 19 patients were treated using bone-anchor fixation; and in Group III, ten patients were treated using a tie-on-button technique. After treatment, 41 patients (89.1%) had full active range of motion (ROM) and 38 patients (82.6%) had excellent or good strength. The results after treatment in all three groups were satisfactory. Though the outcomes of these techniques were similar, operative time, time to return to regular activity, and time to return to work was shorter in the bone-anchor and tie-on-button groups than that in the two-incision transosseous fixation group.