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Return to Play After Distal Biceps Tendon Repair
Luis F Carrazana-Suarez1,2, Sean Cooke3, Christopher C Schmidt4,3,5
1Department of Orthopaedic Surgery, University of Pittsburgh Medical Center, 9104 Babcock Blvd, Suite 5113, Pittsburgh, PA, 15237, USA. lfcarrazana.suarez@gmail.com.
Current Reviews in Musculoskeletal Medicine
|February 23, 2022
Summary
Surgical repair of distal biceps tendon ruptures (DBTR) in athletes leads to excellent outcomes. Most National Football League (NFL) players successfully return to play after DBTR surgery with no performance decline.
Area of Science:
- Orthopedic Surgery
- Sports Medicine
- Upper Extremity Injuries
Background:
- Distal biceps tendon ruptures (DBTR) are uncommon but significantly impair forearm supination and elbow flexion.
- Athletes, particularly younger individuals, are susceptible to DBTR, impacting upper extremity function.
Purpose of the Study:
- To review management options for DBTR.
- To evaluate the current literature on return to play (RTP) for athletes post-DBTR.
Main Methods:
- Review of current literature on distal biceps tendon ruptures.
- Analysis of studies focusing on high-performance athletes, including National Football League (NFL) players.
Main Results:
- Anatomic surgical repair is recommended for athletes to restore function.
- Studies on NFL players show 84-94% return to play after DBTR repair.
- Post-surgery performance in NFL players is comparable to matched control groups.
Conclusions:
- Anatomic repair of DBTR yields excellent outcomes, including high return to work and play rates in athletes.
- Athletes, specifically NFL players, can achieve successful return to sport and maintain performance levels after surgical DBTR repair.
