Functional Outcomes and Complications After Surgical Repair of Triceps Tendon Rupture

Overview

Journal Eur J Orthop Surg Traumatol

Specialty Orthopedics

Date 2015 Jul 13

PMID 26164405

Citations 16

Authors

Ozkan Kose

Omer Faruk Kilicaslan

Ferhat Guler

Baver Acar

Halil Yalcin Yuksel

Affiliations

Soon will be listed here.

Abstract

Objective: The purpose of this study was to present the functional outcomes and complications after primary repair of triceps tendon ruptures (TTR).

Patients And Methods: A retrospective review was performed on eight patients (six males, two females) who underwent transosseous suture repair for TTR. Mayo elbow score, range of motion, muscle strength and patient satisfaction were evaluated after at least 1-year follow-up.

Results: The mean age of the patients was 25.1 years (range 16-42). The mechanism of injury was a sports injury in three patients, simple fall (fall on outstretched hand) in four and motorcycle accident in one patient. Two patients had associated radial head fracture, and one had a radial head fracture and trochlear fracture, and one patient had a medial epicondyle fracture. In two patients the diagnosis was missed at the initial admission to ED (delay, 20 and 75 days). Only one patient, who was a bodybuilder, had a history of anabolic steroid use, and the rest had no underlying disease or a predisposing factor for TTR. One of the patients with radial head fracture (displaced three parts) underwent simultaneous fixation using two headless screws. Patients were followed up for a mean of 18.8 months (range 12-26). At the final follow-up, all patients were satisfied with the treatment and the Mayo elbow score was excellent in six patients and good in two patients. There was 5° extension loss in two patients. Triceps muscle strength was 5/5 in all patients. Ulnar nerve entrapment occurred in one patient, so ulnar nerve release and anterior transposition were performed 3 months after surgery. Posterior interosseous nerve palsy occurred in one patient who underwent simultaneous radial head fracture fixation, but eventually returned back to normal 3 months postoperatively. All patients returned to their previous level of activity and occupation.

Conclusion: Transosseous suture technique is a safe and effective treatment method for acute TTR with a low rate of complications and excellent functional outcomes.

Level Of Evidence: Retrospective case series, Level IV.

Citing Articles

Postoperative Rehabilitation and Return-to-Sport Criteria After Distal Triceps Rupture Repair: A Scoping Review.

Phelps B, Fomunung C, Singer W, George A, Jack 2nd R Orthop J Sports Med. 2024; 12(10):23259671241275956.

PMID: 39444937 PMC: 11497518. DOI: 10.1177/23259671241275956.

Distal Triceps Tendon Repair in Strength Athletes Leads to Satisfactory Return to Sports: A Retrospective Analysis of 22 Cases.

Gruber M, Bischofreiter M, Rittenschober F, Schachermayr M, Ortmaier R, Ritsch M J Clin Med. 2024; 13(16).

PMID: 39201054 PMC: 11355401. DOI: 10.3390/jcm13164913.

Triceps brachii insertional footprint: Under-estimated complexity.

Kamineni S, Pooley J, Bachoura A, Yoshida R, Cummings J Shoulder Elbow. 2024; 16(3):321-329.

PMID: 38818100 PMC: 11135194. DOI: 10.1177/17585732221135633.

Triceps Tendon Reattachment Using Mini Plates and Screws After Failure of Olecranon Avulsion Fracture Fixation in Osteoporotic Bone: A Case Report.

Pohl N, Brush P, Russo J, Fras S, Beredjiklian P, Fletcher D Hand (N Y). 2024; 20(2):NP1-NP5.

PMID: 38491923 PMC: 11571480. DOI: 10.1177/15589447241238373.

Surgical repair of distal triceps rupture: a systematic review of outcomes and complications.

Tran D, Yetter T, Somerson J JSES Rev Rep Tech. 2023; 2(3):332-339.

PMID: 37588859 PMC: 10426566. DOI: 10.1016/j.xrrt.2022.04.001.

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