Abstract
Purpose: Various surgical repair techniques for distal biceps tendon ruptures have been reported,
however, the optimal technique is unknown. Methods: Over a 4-year period 19 distal biceps tendon ruptures were repaired: 9 using a single
anterior incision and 10 using a modified 2-incision Boyd and Anderson technique.
The patients were followed-up prospectively and independently reviewed. Results: Patient-rated elbow evaluation and Short Form-36 (SF-36) scores improved with time
independent of surgical technique. At 1 year the 1-incision group regained more flexion
(142.8° vs 131.1°) than the 2-incision group. There was no difference between groups
in supination motion, supination strength, or flexion strength, although recovery
of flexion strength was initially more rapid for the 2-incision group. Complications
were encountered in 44% of cases treated with a 1-incision technique and in 10% of
cases treated with the 2-incision technique; however, most of these were minor transient
paresthesias. Conclusions: The differences between the 2 groups were relatively minor with the Morrey 2-incision
technique showing a slightly more rapid recovery of flexion strength and fewer complications
as compared with the 1-incision technique. (J Hand Surg 2003;28A:496-502. Copyright
© 2003 by the American Society for Surgery of the Hand.)
Keywords
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Article info
Publication history
Accepted:
February 6,
2003
Received in revised form:
February 6,
2003
Received:
January 29,
2002
Footnotes
☆No benefits in any form have been received or will be received from a commercial party related directly or indirectly to the subject of this article.
☆☆Reprint requests: Graham J. W. King, MD, Hand and Upper Limb Centre, St. Joseph's Health Care London, 268 Grosvenor St, London, Ontario, Canada N6A 4L6.
*0363-5023/03/28A03-0022$30.00/0
Identification
Copyright
© 2003 American Society for Surgery of the Hand. Published by Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.
