Surgical repair of distal biceps tendon ruptures: a biomechanical comparison of two techniques.
BACKGROUND
Rupture of the distal biceps brachii tendon has most commonly been repaired by anatomic reattachment of the tendon to the radial tuberosity by a single- or two-incision approach. Researchers have studied suture anchor attachment through a single incision, but the tendon-suture interface and bone quality have not previously been analyzed.


OBJECTIVE
Suture anchor repair results in stiffness and tensile strength equal to that of bone-tunnel repair for biceps tendon rupture.


METHODS
Controlled laboratory study.


METHODS
Twelve matched pairs of fresh-frozen cadaveric elbow specimens were used. Suture anchor and bone-tunnel tendon repairs were performed in a randomized fashion. Each specimen was loaded to tensile failure. Load-displacement graphs were generated to calculate repair stiffness, yield strength, and ultimate strength. Computed tomography bone density measurements and additional statistical analyses were then performed after grouping the specimens by mode of failure.


RESULTS
The bone-tunnel repair was found to be significantly stiffer in all cases and to have significantly greater tensile strength than the suture anchor repair in the younger, nonosteoporotic elbows.


CONCLUSIONS
Suture anchor repairs were not as stiff or strong as bone-tunnel repairs.


CONCLUSIONS
Biceps tendon surgery using the traditional two-incision technique yields a stronger and stiffer repair in the typical patient with this injury.
Pereira
David S
DS
Kerlan-Jobe Orthopaedic Clinic, Los Angeles, California, USA.
Kvitne
Ronald S
RS
Liang
Michael
M
Giacobetti
Frank B
FB
Ebramzadeh
Edward
E
D000328:Adult; D000367:Age Factors; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D001696:Biomechanical Phenomena; D015519:Bone Density / Q000502:physiology; D002102:Cadaver; D004550:Elbow / Q000601:surgery; D006801:Humans; D008875:Middle Aged; D019637:Orthopedic Procedures / Q000379:methods*; D012421:Rupture / Q000601:surgery; D013536:Suture Techniques; D013708:Tendon Injuries / Q000503:physiopathology / Q000601:surgery*; D013718:Tensile Strength / Q000502:physiology; D017211:Treatment Failure; D000092464:Elbow Injuries