Repair of distal biceps tendon rupture with suture anchors and a single anterior incision: A review of six cases

We present a retrospective review of six cases of distal biceps tendon repair with a mean follow-up of 1 year. All patients were men aged between 34 and 62 years. In all patients, the injury was sustained with application of an unanticipated large load to the flexed arm. All but one patient was operated within a week of the injury. All six cases were operated through a single anterior incision and the torn tendon ends fixed to the radial tuberosity with implantable suture anchors. All patients were reviewed subjectively and objectively. All but one returned to preinjury activity within 6 months. One patient developed superficial radial nerve neurapraxia, which recovered, and one developed a superficial wound infection, which required treatment with oral antibiotics and surgical excision of the sinus. We believe that operative repair of distal biceps tendon rupture using a single anterior incision and suture anchors is a safe and effective method of treating theses injuries. © Springer-Verlag 2004.