The Turtle Neck Sign: Identification of Severe Retracted Distal Biceps Tendon Rupture

Chronic tendon retraction subsequent to distal biceps tendon rupture significantly increases repair difficulty and potential for tendon grafting. Biceps tendons that appear short or absent with magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) or that cannot be readily identified at surgery may erroneously be classified as irreparable. These apparent "absent" biceps tendons may actually be retracted and curled up inside the muscle, visually resembling the head-neck of a turtle retracted inside its shell (the "turtle neck sign"). When located, these tendons could be unfolded and repaired primarily. This type of tendon retraction seems to be associated with high-degree ruptures and larcertus fibrosus tears.

To test the hypothesis that tendon retractions with a turtle neck sign on MRI are more associated with high-degree ruptures and larcertus fibrosus tears versus tendon tears with simple linear retraction.

Cross-sectional study; Level of evidence, 3.

Retracted distal biceps tendon ruptures on sagittal MRI were categorized as linear retraction or curled-up (turtle neck) retraction. Retraction length, injury severity, and lacertus fibrosus tears were analyzed.

The authors retrospectively analyzed the patient records of 85 consecutive traumatic distal biceps tendon ruptures from 2003 to 2019; the final study cohort was 37 patients. Injury-to-surgery timing was as follows: <3 weeks, 43% (16 cases); 3 weeks to 3 months, 32% (12 cases); and >3 months, 24% (9 cases). Overall, 19 patients had linear retraction <7 cm (mean, 3.3 ± 1.9 cm) and 18 patients had a turtle neck retraction ≥7 cm (mean, 9.1 ± 1.6 cm). The injury-to-surgery time (median [± interquartile range]) was 27 days (±90 days) in the linear retraction group and 23 days (±65 days) in the turtle neck retraction group. The turtle neck retraction group had a significantly higher occurrence of abnormal hook test findings, complete distal biceps tendon rupture, and lacertus fibrosus tears compared with the linear retraction group (100% vs 58%, 100% vs 68%, and 100% vs 37%, respectively; P ≤ .02). However, significant repairability differences were not found.

Highly retracted distal biceps turtle neck sign tendon ruptures occur frequently in association with high-degree ruptures and lacertus fibrosus tears. The presence of a turtle neck retraction did not affect reparability. Surgeons should be aware of this curled-up retraction to avoid mistaking it for an absent tendon or a muscle-tendon disruption.