Re-rupture rate of primarily repaired distal biceps tendon injuries.
BACKGROUND
Distal biceps tendon rupture is a common injury, and primary repair results in excellent return of function and strength. Complications resulting from distal biceps tendon repairs are well reported, but the incidence of re-ruptures has never been investigated.


METHODS
A search of the Mayo Clinic's Medical/Surgical Index was performed, and all distal biceps tendon repairs from January 1981 through May 2009 were identified. All patients who completed 12 months or more of follow-up were included. All charts were reviewed and patients contacted as necessary to identify a re-rupture. We also investigated the situation causing the re-rupture.


RESULTS
We identified a total of 190 distal biceps tendon ruptures that underwent repair and met our inclusion and exclusion criteria. Of the 190 repairs, 172 (90.5%) were performed by the Mayo modification of the Boyd-Anderson 2-incision technique. Bilateral ruptures occurred in 13 patients (7.3%). Six primary ruptures (3.2%) occurred in women, 4 of the 6 being partial ruptures. Partial ruptures were found to be statistically more common than complete ruptures in women (P = .05). We identified 3 re-ruptures (1.5%), all occurring within 3 weeks of the index surgery.


CONCLUSIONS
The re-rupture rate after primary repair of the distal biceps tendon is low at 1.5% and occurs within 3 weeks of index repair. This appears to be due to patient compliance and excessive force placed on repairs. We also found the incidence of women who sustain a distal biceps tendon tear to be 3.2%, with partial tears being statistically more common than complete ruptures.


METHODS
Level IV, case series, treatment study
Department of Orthopedic Surgery, Mayo Clinic, Rochester, MN, USA.
John W
JW
Hinchey
Department of Orthopedic Surgery, Mayo Clinic, Rochester, MN, USA.
Jessica G
JG
Aronowitz
Department of Orthopedic Surgery, Mayo Clinic, Rochester, MN, USA. Electronic address: sanchezsotelo.joaquin@mayo.edu.
Joaquin
J
Sanchez-Sotelo
Department of Orthopedic Surgery, Mayo Clinic, Rochester, MN, USA.
Bernard F
BF
Morrey
D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D001134:Arm Injuries / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000601:surgery; D016208:Databases, Factual; D004550:Elbow / Q000601:surgery; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D015994:Incidence; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D012307:Risk Factors; D012421:Rupture; D013708:Tendon Injuries / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000453:epidemiology* / Q000601:surgery; D000092464:Elbow Injuries
Distal biceps; biceps; biceps failure; re-rupture; repair