Unusual traumatic triceps tendon avulsion rupture: a word of caution

Triceps tendon rupture is a rare condition. The usual mechanism of injury is a fall on an outstretched hand, although direct contact injuries have also been reported to cause this injury. A 67-year-old woman presented with injuries caused by direct impact to her right elbow after a fall. X-rays of the elbow demonstrated the cardinal clinical 'gap' and 'flake' signs. It is necessary to be aware of this injury and perform a careful examination at the time of the initial presentation, as the signs of this injury are usually subtle. Most reported primary repairs have been performed with non-absorbable transosseous sutures. In this case report, we show how using suture anchors for reattachment is a technically feasible alternative operative method providing a good surgical outcome.