Clinical Outcomes of Surgical Repair for Partial Distal Biceps Tendon Tears

Abstract

Purpose

The purpose of this study was to describe the outcomes of patients treated with surgical repair of partial tears of the distal biceps tendon.

Methods

The study was a retrospective review of repairs of partial tears of the distal biceps tendon performed by multiple surgeons from January 1, 2015 to October 15, 2020. Inclusion criteria consisted of preoperative magnetic resonance imaging indicative of distal biceps pathology without a complete tear and surgical treatment with intraoperative confirmation of a partial tear. The presence of preceding trauma, duration of symptoms, and postoperative complications were documented. Patients were contacted for outcome assessment using the Quick Disabilities of the Arm, Shoulder, and Hand (QuickDASH) and Patient-Reported Elbow Evaluation outcome measures. Clinical outcomes were obtained from 56 of 74 (76%) eligible patients with an average follow-up of 46 months (range: 15–85 months).

Results

After surgery, the median QuickDASH was 2.3 (interquartile range, 0–9.7), and the median Patient-Reported Elbow Evaluation score was 1 (interquartile range, 0–12). Postoperative QuickDASH scores were significantly lower than the preoperative scores. Known traumas preceding the symptoms and duration of symptoms before surgery were not significantly associated with the outcome. Of all eligible patients, 30 complications were reported in 25 (34%) patients and included 2 reruptures, 2 cases of heterotopic ossification, 1 deep infection, 1 case of implant irritation, 21 neuropraxias, and 3 hematomas. Five (7%) patients underwent 6 reoperations including 1 revision for a rerupture, 1 irrigation and debridement, 2 heterotopic ossification excisions, 1 hematoma evacuation, and 1 implant removal.

Conclusions

The results suggest that the repair of partial distal biceps tendon tears is a viable treatment option with significant improvement in QuickDASH. There was no significant relationship between the postoperative outcome and duration of symptoms or known traumas preceding the symptoms.

Type of study/level of evidence

Therapeutic IV.