Arthroscopic Repair of Distal Triceps Tendon Rupture Provides Excellent Functional Outcomes With Minimal...

To report the outcomes of patients who underwent arthroscopic distal triceps tendon repair using double-row anatomic footprint repair with suture anchors.

This was a retrospective review of patients who underwent arthroscopic triceps tendon repair between 2012 and 2022 performed by a single surgeon. The inclusion criteria included a full-thickness tear of the distal triceps tendon confirmed by magnetic resonance imaging and repaired arthroscopically. The exclusion criteria included patients with documented follow-up of less than 24 months for whom postoperative outcome measures were lacking, as well as tear size of less than 50% of the width of the tendon. The primary outcome measures were retear rates and reoperation rates. Secondary outcomes included change in pain score (visual analog scale), postoperative functional score (Mayo Elbow Performance Score), postoperative Single Assessment Numeric Evaluation score, manual muscle testing, and rate of perioperative wound complications.

A total of 16 patients (age range, 37-80 years) were included. All patients had an intact triceps tendon on ultrasound at a mean follow-up of 79.3 months (range, 24.6-149.1 months). The mean preoperative visual analog scale pain score decreased from 4 to 0, ranging from 0 to 6 preoperatively (P < .001). The postoperative Mayo Elbow Performance Score averaged 100, indicating no functional limitations. The mean Single Assessment Numeric Evaluation score were 98, ranging from 90 to 100. No major perioperative wound complications, retears, or reoperations were reported. Muscle strength was graded as equal to the opposite side on manual strength testing.

In this study, we found that arthroscopic triceps tendon repair is safe and effective, with excellent pain relief, excellent functional scores, minimal complications, and the ability to address concomitant elbow pathologies.

Level IV, therapeutic case series.