Return to Sport Following Distal Triceps Repair

Purpose The purpose of this investigation was to examine the timeline of return-to-sport following distal triceps repair; evaluate the degree of participation and function upon returning to sport; and identify risk factors for failure to return to sport. Methods Patients who underwent distal triceps repair with a minimum of 1 year of follow-up were retrospectively reviewed. Patients completed a subjective sports questionnaire and were scored on a visual analog scale for pain; the Mayo Elbow Performance Index; the Quick Disabilities of the Arm, Shoulder, and Hand; and the Single Assessment Numerical Evaluation. Results Out of 113 eligible patients who had a distal triceps repair, 81 patients (71.7%) were contacted. Sixty-eight patients (84.0%) who participated in sports prior to surgery were included at 6.0 +/- 4.0 years after surgery, and the average age was 46.6 +/- 11.5 years. Sixtyone patients (89.7%) resumed playing at least 1 sport by 5.9 +/- 4.4 months following distal triceps repair. However, 18 patients (29.5%) returned to a lower level of activity intensity. The average postoperative Quick Disabilities of the Arm, Shoulder, and Hand; Mayo Elbow Performance; visual analog scale for pain; and Single Assessment Numerical Evaluation scores were 8.2 +/- 14.0, 89.5 +/- 13.4, 2.0 +/- 1.7, and 82.2 +/- 24.3, respectively. No patients underwent revision surgery at the time of final follow-up. Conclusions Distal triceps repair enables 89.7% of patients to return to sport by 5.9 +/- 4.4 months following surgery. However, 29.5% of patients were unable to return to their preinjury level of activity. It is imperative that patients are appropriately educated to manage postoperative expectations regarding sport participation following distal triceps repair. (J Hand Surg Am. 2023;48(5):507.e1-e8. Copyright (c) 2023 by the American Society for Surgery of the Hand. All rights reserved.)