title: Distal biceps tendon repair: an analysis of timing of surgery on outcomes.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Surgical repair of the ruptured distal biceps brachaii tendon is an effective treatment in injured patients. Timing of surgery is considered an important factor when managing these patients.
  
  
  OBJECTIVE
  To compare our outcomes after distal biceps tendon acute (at 4 weeks or less) or chronic (greater than 4 weeks) repair.
  
  
  METHODS
  Cohort study.
  
  
  METHODS
  Clinical practice.
  
  
  METHODS
  Of 18 patients in a tertiary practice who underwent distal biceps repair, 12 and 6 underwent acute or chronic repair, respectively. The average durations from injury to surgery were 15.3 (range, 9 to 25) and 50.1 (range, 29 to 75) days for the acute and chronic groups, respectively.
  
  
  METHODS
  Distal biceps tendon repair.
  
  
  METHODS
  Disabilities of the Arm, Shoulder and Hand (DASH) scoring, range of motion, and clinical and radiographic complications.
  
  
  RESULTS
  No differences were noted between the groups in DASH scoring or range of motion. No complications occurred, and radiographic outcomes were satisfactory, without evidence of heterotopic ossification in any patients.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Secure repair of a distal biceps tendon injury may yield similar results, whether it is performed in the acute or chronic setting.
authors.affiliation: Department of Orthopaedic Surgery, University of Pennsylvania, USA.
authors.forename: Oke A
authors.initials: OA
authors.lastname: Anakwenze
authors.forename: Keith
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Baldwin
authors.forename: Joseph A
authors.initials: JA
authors.lastname: Abboud
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D001134:Arm Injuries / Q000534:rehabilitation / Q000601:surgery*; D001265:Athletic Injuries / Q000534:rehabilitation / Q000601:surgery*; D004185:Disability Evaluation; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D016059:Range of Motion, Articular; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D013708:Tendon Injuries / Q000534:rehabilitation / Q000601:surgery*; D016896:Treatment Outcome