Triceps tendon tear in a middle-aged weightlifter.

Area of Science:

• Orthopedics
• Sports Medicine
• Radiology

Background:

• Weightlifting can lead to acute musculoskeletal injuries.
• Triceps tendon tears are a potential complication of strenuous upper body exercise.
• Elbow pain and weakness necessitate thorough diagnostic evaluation.

Observation:

• A 47-year-old male weightlifter presented with posterior right elbow pain and triceps weakness after performing clap push-ups.
• Initial radiographs were normal, but physical therapy evaluation raised suspicion for a triceps tendon tear.
• Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) was expedited due to clinical concern.

Findings:

• The expedited MRI revealed a partial tear of the triceps tendon.
• The tear showed partial retraction of the tendon medially.
• This finding explains the patient's acute symptoms of pain and weakness.

Implications:

• Prompt diagnosis of triceps tendon tears is crucial for appropriate management.
• MRI is a valuable tool for identifying partial tendon tears that may be missed on initial radiography.
• Early intervention can improve outcomes for athletes with weightlifting-related elbow injuries.