Diagnostic Musculoskeletal Ultrasound in the Evaluation of the Triceps Tendon.

Abstract

The triceps tendon is responsible for extension of the elbow during upper extremity functional activities that require the motion of pushing. Accurate diagnosis of tendon partial tears or ruptures is essential for appropriate treatment planning and optimizing patient outcomes. Diagnostic musculoskeletal (MSK) ultrasound offers a portable, real-time, and cost-effective alternative that is gaining traction in rehabilitation and sports medicine settings. MSK ultrasound has emerged as a valuable, non-invasive imaging modality for evaluating triceps tendon injuries including partial and complete tears, tendinopathy, and calcifications of the triceps insertion onto the olecranon, and even avulsions from the olecranon. MSK ultrasound is adept at detecting changes in tendon tissue composition and integrity, including both tendinopathies and partial thickness tears. Furthermore, this manuscript will review the utility of MSK ultrasound in evaluating the triceps injury, including its anatomy, common injury patterns, sonographic techniques, and clinical implications for professional rehabilitation. Diagnosis of acute injury by physical examination is often challenging and is frequently misdiagnosed. By integrating MSK ultrasound into clinical practice, providers can improve the accuracy of diagnosis, enhance diagnostic confidence, monitor healing progression, and guide rehabilitation strategies to optimal patient outcomes.