Functional evaluation after cortical button fixation for distal biceps ruptures - Is there any difference between...

Area of Science:

• Orthopedic Surgery
• Sports Medicine
• Musculoskeletal Research

Background:

• Distal biceps tendon ruptures commonly affect active individuals.
• Understanding functional recovery in manual versus non-manual workers is crucial for patient counseling and rehabilitation.

Purpose of the Study:

• To compare clinical and functional outcomes of distal biceps tendon repair between manual and non-manual workers.
• To evaluate the efficacy of a single-incision surgical technique in different occupational groups.

Main Methods:

• Retrospective comparative study of 57 patients with distal biceps tendon rupture.
• Patients divided into manual (24) and non-manual (33) worker groups.
• All treated with single-incision cortical button and interference screw fixation, with minimum 3-month follow-up.

Main Results:

• No statistically significant differences in supination or flexion strength between groups (p=0.192, p=0.878).
• Nine patients experienced range of motion loss, correlating with poorer functional scores.
• Functional scores tended to be superior in non-manual workers; heterotopic ossification and nerve neuropraxia occurred in some patients.

Conclusions:

• The surgical procedure offers good to excellent mid-term functional results for distal biceps tendon repair.
• No significant differences in clinical or functional outcomes were observed between manual and non-manual workers.
• Further research may explore specific rehabilitation protocols tailored to occupational demands.