title: [Treatment of the avulsion of the distal biceps tendon by anatomic reinsertion with suture anchors by using a limited anterior approach--follow-up of 24 patients].
abstract: Avulsion of the distal biceps tendon is a clear indication of operative therapy. Different techniques have been described. From 10/97 till 4/02 we have treated 25 patients with avulsion of the distal biceps tendon by anatomic reinsertion at the radial tuberosity with suture anchors by using a limited anterior approach. 24 patients underwent a clinical follow-up of at least 3 months, the average follow-up was 15.8 months. All patients were men with a mean age of 46 years (32-64 years). Surgery was performed within 9 days (1-28 days) after trauma. No wound healing complication was observed. 2-3 suture anchors have been used in each patient. After 3 months, most patients reached a free range of motion and full strength with unlimited recreational and professional activity. In three cases (12.5 %) a heterotopic ossification occurred, two of them (8.3 %) underwent surgical revision. In one case (4.2 %) we observed a rerupture after 6 weeks. 6 patients (12.5 %) described an intermittent disturbance of sensitivity in their radial forearm, in two cases (8.3 %) the lack of sensitivity persisted. Each patient would choose the same procedure in case of injury.
authors.affiliation: Sportklinik Stuttgart.
authors.forename: S
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Ensslin
authors.forename: G J
authors.initials: GJ
authors.lastname: Bauer
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D004551:Elbow Joint / Q000473:pathology / Q000601:surgery; D006801:Humans; D008279:Magnetic Resonance Imaging; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D011183:Postoperative Complications / Q000175:diagnosis; D011446:Prospective Studies; D012008:Recurrence; D012421:Rupture; D013536:Suture Techniques / Q000295:instrumentation*; D013708:Tendon Injuries / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000601:surgery*; D013710:Tendons / Q000473:pathology / Q000601:surgery; D014463:Ultrasonography; D000092464:Elbow Injuries