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Murine Flexor Tendon Injury and Repair Surgery
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Distal biceps tendon rupture: an in vitro study.
Dave R Shukla1, Bernard F Morrey, Andrew R Thoreson
1Biomechanics Laboratory, Department of Orthopedic Surgery, Mayo Clinic, 200 First Street SW, Rochester, MN 55905, USA
Clinical Biomechanics (Bristol, Avon)
|October 28, 2011
Summary
The distal biceps tendon
Area of Science:
- Orthopedic Surgery
- Biomechanics
- Sports Medicine
Background:
- Distal biceps tendon ruptures have established repair methods.
- Limited data exists on the native tendon's failure strength.
- Hypothesized that loading angle affects failure strength and it's higher than previously reported.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the effect of loading angle on distal biceps tendon failure strength.
- To compare the native tendon's failure strength with existing literature values.
Main Methods:
- 15 radii were tested in a simulated supine position.
- Native distal biceps tendons were loaded at 90°, 60°, and 30° of elbow flexion.
- Failure load and stiffness were recorded and compared across groups.
Main Results:
- Mean failure load increased as elbow flexion angle decreased (90°: 358N, 60°: 617N, 30°: 762N).
- Failure loads between groups were not statistically significant (P=0.12) due to high variability.
- Mean stiffness was not significantly different between the flexion angle groups (P>0.6).
Conclusions:
- The load to failure of the distal biceps tendon may exceed previous reports.
- Failure strength appears dependent on elbow flexion angle.
- Findings warrant consideration in surgical repair and rehabilitation protocols.
