[Operative treatment of ruptures of distal tendon of biceps muscle with a minimally invasive technique using suture anchors--clinical results].

Aim: Ruptures of the distal tendon of the biceps muscle should be treated operatively. A minimally invasive technique and the use of suture anchors may decrease the intraoperative risks. But can satisfactory clinical results be achieved?

Method: We present the results of a clinical study. Between 1999 and 2005 nine patients were operated for distal biceps tendon avulsion. A minimally invasive operating technique using a suture anchor was established and the technique is described. Rantanen and Orava's score was used to compare clinical and radiological findings.

Results: Clinical follow-up was performed at 6 months after operation. In six patients excellent results according to Rantanen and Orava were achieved. No loss of strength was noticed in 6 of 9 cases. Range of motion was unlimited in six patients. In two cases we found heterotopic ossifications.

Conclusion: On the basis of our results we suggest that minimally invasive surgery using a suture anchor should be performed more often. The technique described leads to results that are comparable to those found in the literature.