Primary Repair of Chronic Distal Biceps Tendon Tears

This study reports the clinical results following primary repair of distal biceps tendon ruptures more 6 weeks after injury.

A retrospective review of distal biceps tendon repairs performed by 8 different hand surgeons from January 1, 2015 to October 15, 2020 was performed. Patients with complete tears surgically treated ≥6 weeks after injury without tendon graft were included. Thirty patients qualified and underwent chart review for complication and range of motion (ROM) data. They were contacted for final patient-reported outcome measures (PROMs) using Quick Disabilities of the Arm, Shoulder, and Hand (QuickDASH) and Patient Reported Elbow Evaluation (PREE) scores. Final PROMs were obtained from 21 patients with an average follow-up of 31.3 months (range: 4-71 months).

Average time from injury to repair was 71 days (range: 42-204). The average QuickDASH score was 6.6 (±6.2) and PREE score was 7.8 (±8.0). The amount of elbow flexion necessary to complete the repair was documented in 21 patients and averaged 64º (±10º). Postoperatively, patients achieved an average extension/flexion of 1º (±1º) to 138º (±2º) and pronation/supination of 76º (±4º) to 77º (±3º). Complications were reported in 14 patients (47%) and included 2 re-ruptures, 1 adhesive scar formation, 1 superficial infection, 1 intraoperative lateral antebrachial cutaneous nerve laceration, 12 neuropraxias, and 1 case of heterotopic ossification (HO).

Primary repair of chronic distal biceps tendon tears greater than 6 weeks from injury demonstrated excellent PROMs and elbow ROM. However, the complication rate may be higher than early repair.