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Outcomes and Complications After Repair of Complete Distal Biceps Tendon Rupture with the Cortical Button Technique
Tiffany Huynh1, Jeff Leiter1,2, Peter B MacDonald1,2
1University of Manitoba, Winnipeg, Manitoba, Canada.
JB & JS Open Access
|October 9, 2019
Summary
Cortical button fixation for distal biceps tendon ruptures offers minimal disability, with small strength deficits and normal range of motion. Complications were mostly minor, with low impact on function as measured by the Disabilities of the Arm, Shoulder and Hand (DASH) score.
Area of Science:
- Orthopedic Surgery
- Sports Medicine
- Musculoskeletal Research
Background:
- Distal biceps tendon ruptures are common injuries.
- Various surgical repair techniques exist, but outcomes of cortical button fixation require further evaluation.
Purpose of the Study:
- To evaluate elbow strength, range of motion, and functional disability after distal biceps tendon rupture repair using cortical button fixation.
Main Methods:
- Retrospective cohort study of 60 male patients undergoing 1-incision anterior repair with cortical button fixation.
- Assessed elbow range of motion, strength (limb-symmetry index), Disabilities of the Arm, Shoulder and Hand (DASH) scores, and radiographs.
- Compared outcomes to the contralateral arm and normative population data.
Main Results:
- Elbow flexion and supination range of motion were similar to the contralateral arm.
- Slightly decreased flexion (96%) and supination (91%) strength compared to the contralateral arm.
- Mean DASH score was 7.9 ± 11.4, not significantly different from normative values.
Conclusions:
- Cortical button fixation for distal biceps tendon ruptures results in small, likely not clinically significant, strength deficits.
- The complication rate was relatively high, but most complications were minor, leading to minimal functional disability.
