Distal Bicep Tendon Repair Utilizing Knotless Retensionable All-Suture Anchors

Area of Science:

• Orthopedic Surgery
• Sports Medicine
• Biomedical Engineering

Background:

• Distal biceps tendon ruptures are infrequent but require surgical repair for functional restoration.
• Current surgical techniques aim to reattach the tendon securely to the bone.

Purpose of the Study:

• To evaluate the retensionable knotless distal biceps tendon repair using an all-suture anchor technique.
• To compare its biomechanical properties and clinical advantages against traditional methods.

Main Methods:

• The technique involves placing two knotless all-suture anchors into the radial tuberosity.
• Repair sutures are passed through the distal biceps tendon and tightened to secure the construct.
• Biomechanical strength (load to failure) is compared to the classic cortical button technique.

Main Results:

• The all-suture anchor technique demonstrates a lower load to failure compared to the cortical button method.
• Potential advantages include anatomic positioning and the ability to retension the construct multiple times.
• This technique may reduce complications like fracture and posterior interosseous nerve injury.

Conclusions:

• The knotless all-suture anchor technique for distal biceps tendon repair offers distinct advantages despite lower biomechanical strength.
• Its ability to allow for retensioning and minimize complications makes it a viable option in orthopedic surgery.
• Further research may explore optimizing this technique for enhanced biomechanical performance.