title: Low incidence of tendon rerupture after distal biceps repair by cortical button and interference screw.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  The use of cortical suspensory fixation in conjunction with an interference screw to treat distal biceps ruptures has yielded favorable results. However, literature examining the incidence of fixation failure in a large consecutive series of patients treated with this technique is lacking.
  
  
  METHODS
  A retrospective review of electronic medical records identified 170 distal biceps ruptures in 168 consecutive patients (164 men and 4 women) treated using a cortical button in conjunction with an interference screw. The study group was an average age of 48 years (range, 20-71 years). Records were reviewed from the time of the initial clinic visit to the most recent follow-up. Early failures were defined as those that occurred within 12 weeks of the index procedure. Failed repair was defined as tendon defect, deformity, or significant weakness in supination.
  
  
  RESULTS
  The early incidence of failure was 1.2%, with 2 of the fixations meeting the criteria for failure. One patient had significant brachial artery thrombosis. Other complications included posterior interosseous nerve palsy, lateral antebrachial cutaneous nerve-related complication, and numbness about the radial nerve.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  The use of a cortical suspensory fixation device in conjunction with an interference screw is an effective method of repairing a distal biceps rupture, with a low early rate of failure.
authors.affiliation: Florida Orthopaedic Institute, Tampa, FL, USA.
authors.forename: Michael C
authors.initials: MC
authors.lastname: Cusick
authors.affiliation: Foundation for Orthopaedic Research and Education, Tampa, FL, USA.
authors.forename: Benjamin J
authors.initials: BJ
authors.lastname: Cottrell
authors.affiliation: University of South Florida, Tampa, FL, USA.
authors.forename: Richard A
authors.initials: RA
authors.lastname: Cain
authors.affiliation: Florida Orthopaedic Institute, Tampa, FL, USA. Electronic address: saskiavm@aol.com.
authors.forename: Mark A
authors.initials: MA
authors.lastname: Mighell
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D001132:Arm; D001863:Bone Screws; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D015994:Incidence; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D012008:Recurrence; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D012421:Rupture; D053441:Suture Anchors; D013708:Tendon Injuries / Q000601:surgery*; D053656:Tenodesis / Q000295:instrumentation*; D055815:Young Adult
keywords: Distal biceps repair; combined technique; complication rate; cortical button; cortical suspensory fixation; interference screw