[Injuries of the biceps brachii muscle with special reference to surgical therapy]

Injuries of M. biceps brachii are rare, in most cases (greater than 90%) the long tendon is involved, seldom the distal tendon. The long tendon usually ruptures in the sulcus intertubercularis, preexisting degenerative changes play an important role. The distal tendon most often ruptures traumatically at its radial insertion. Injuries of the short tendon do not require operative treatment, whereas complete ruptures of the venter of the muscle and of the distal tendon have to be operated on, in doing so the distal tendon should be reinserted at the radius. Ruptures of the long tendon may be treated conservatively, operation is indicated in young and active patients with painful functional lesion. In these cases proximal refixation under good tension should be realized. In accordance with bibliographical data our case material (11 operations) shows satisfying results in about 75%, though persistent pain or some functional lesion following operative treatment of ruptures of the long tendon has been observed in half of the patients. Finally general conclusions concerning indication and methods of operative treatment are made.