Surgical Reconstruction Options in Chronic Distal Biceps Tendon Ruptures – Case Report and Literature Review

Abstract

Introduction Chronic distal biceps tendon ruptures are rare and conservative or operative treatment options are suitable. There is a consensus in the literature in case of acute traumatic ruptures the operative refixation should be preferred. Disagreement exists in the best way of care of old ruptures (> 4 weeks) of distal biceps tendon. Several kinds of refixation possibilities up to tendon grafts are described. Aim of this publication is showing an overview of the literature of the approved methods in reconstruction of the distal biceps tendon using autogenous and allogenic grafts, comparing the outcomes and transferring them on an own case.

Material and Methods A literature research was carried out using the online medical database “PubMed” with the following keywords “chronic rupture distal biceps tendon, surgical techniques”. 59 citations were found concerning the topic, 37 publications were relevant for this work.

Results There is consensus that even in chronic ruptures the operative management of the distal biceps tendon generates the best results. Consistently the experiences and results of only little patient collectives are reported. Numerous techniques of surgery are described without predominance of one method. Reinsertions of the tendon butts are reported in different techniques: with achilles, palmaris longus, fascia lata, triceps, quadriceps and semitendinosus tendon grafts. All together they showed postoperative satisfactory results.

Conclusion With surgical treatment of chronic ruptured distal biceps tendons comparable outcomes can be achieved by primary refixation and graft augmentations. In case of graft augmentations several tissue options are available which showed in all cases satisfactory functional results in the end.

Key words

chronic distal biceps ruptures - reconstruction - tendon grafts - functional outcome

Publikationsverlauf

Artikel online veröffentlicht:
04. November 2019

• References/Literatur

• 1 Safran MR, Graham SM. Distal biceps tendon ruptures: Incidence, demographics and the effect of smoking. Clin Orthop Relat Res 2002; (404) 275-283
• 2 Henry AK. Extensile Exposure. Saunders. Philadelphia 1995; 90-96
• 3 DʼAlessandro DF, Shields CL, Tibone JE. et al. Repair of distal biceps tendon ruptures in athletes. Am J Sports Med 1993; 21: 114-119
• 4 Freeman CR, McCormick KR, Mahoney D. et al. Nonoperative treatment of distal biceps tendon ruptures compared with a historical control group. J Bone Joint Surg Am 2009; 91: 2329-2334
• 5 Morrey ME, Abdel MP, Sanchez-Sotelo J. et al. Primary repair of retracted distal biceps tendon ruptures in extreme flexion. J Shoulder Elbow Surg 2014; 23: 679-685
• 6 Bain GI, Durrant AW. Sports-related injuries of the biceps and triceps. Clin Sports Med 2010; 29: 555-576
• 7 Bell RH, Wiley WB, Noble JS. et al. Repair of the distal biceps brachii tendon ruptures. J Shoulder Elbow Surg 2000; 9: 223-226
• 8 Hang DW, Bach BR, Bojchuk J. Repair of chronic distal biceps brachii tendon rupture using free autogenous semitendinosus tendon. Clin Orthop Relat Res 1996; (323) 188-191
• 9 Hallam P, Bain GI. Repair of chronic distal biceps tendon ruptures using autologous hamstring graft and the Endobutton. J Shoulder Elbow Surg 2004; 13: 648-651
• 10 Ribeiro LM, Almeida Neto JI, Belangero PS. et al. Reconstruction of the distal biceps tendon using semitendinosus grafting: description of the technique. Rev Bras Ortop 2018; 53: 651-655
• 11 Landa J, Bhandari S, Strauss EJ. et al. The effect of repair of lacertus fibrosus on distal biceps tendon repairs: a biomechanical, functional an anatomic study. Am J Sports Med 2009; 37: 120-123
• 12 Murthi AM, Ramirez MA, Parks BG. et al. Lacertus fibrosus versus Achilles allograft reconstruction for distal biceps tears: a biomechanical study. Am J Sports Med 2017; 45: 3340-3344
• 13 Ding DY, Rayn WE, Strauss EJ. et al. Chronic distal biceps repair an Achilles allograft. Arthroscopy Techniques 2016; 5: 525-529
• 14 Sorti TM, Paniago AF, Faria RSF. Reconstruction of the distal biceps tendon using triceps graft: a technical note. Rev Bras Ortop 2017; 52: 354-358
• 15 Fontana M, Trimarchi A, Colozza A. Lacertus fibrosus augmentation for distal biceps brachii rupture repair: surgical technique. Musculoskelet Surg 2016; 100 (Suppl. 01) S85-S88
• 16 Terra BB, Rodrigues LM, Lima ALM. et al. Direct repair of chronic distal biceps tendon tears. Rev Bras Ortop 2016; 51: 303-312
• 17 Klonz A, Loitz D, Wöhler P. et al. Rupture of the distal biceps brachii tendon: isokinetic power analysis and complications after anatomic reinsertion compared with fixation to the brachialis muscle. J Shoulder Elbow Surg 2003; 12: 607-611
• 18 Burrus MT, Chhabra AB. Distal biceps reconstruction 13 years post-injury. Ther Adv Muskuloskelet Dis 2015; 7: 56-59
• 19 Blønd L, Kaewkongnok B. Reconstruction of delayed diagnosis simultaneous bilateral distal biceps tendon ruptures using semitendinosus and quadriceps tendon autografts. Springerplus 2015; 4: 117-121
• 20 Darlis NA, Sotereanos DG. Distal biceps tendon reconstruction in chronic ruptures. J Shoulder Elbow Surg 2006; 15: 614-619
• 21 Sanchez-Sotelo J, Morrey BF, Adams RA. et al. Reconstruction of chronic ruptures of the distal biceps tendon with use of an achilles tendon autograft. J Bone Joint Surg Am 2002; 84: 999-1005
• 22 Conroy C, Sethi P, Macken C. et al. Augmentation of distal biceps repair with an acellular dermal graft restores native biomechanical properties in a tendon-deficient model. Am J Sports Med 2017; 45: 2028-2033
• 23 Quach T, Jazayeri R, Sherman OH. et al. Distal biceps tendon injuries – current treatment options. Bull NYU Hosp Jt Dis 2010; 68: 103-111
• 24 Morell NT, Mercer DM, Moneim MS. Late reconstruction of chronic distal biceps tendon ruptures using fascia lata autograft and suture anchor fixation. Tech Hand Up Extrem Surg 2012; 16: 141-144
• 25 Patterson RW, Shama J, Lawton JN. et al. Distal biceps tendon reconstruction with tendoachilles allograft: a modification of the endobutton technique utilizing an ACL reconstruction system. J Hand Surg Am 2009; 34: 545-552
• 26 Wiley WB, Noble JS, Dulaney TD. et al. Late reconstruction of chronic distal biceps tendon ruptures with a semitendinosus autograft technique. J Shoulder Elbow Surg 2006; 15: 440-444
• 27 McCarty 3rd LP, Alpert JM, Bush-Joseph C. Reconstruction of a chronic distal biceps tendon rupture 4 years after initial injury. Am J Orthop (Belle Mead NJ) 2008; 37: 579-582
• 28 Snir N, Hamula M, Wolfson T. et al. Clinical outcomes after chronic distal biceps reconstruction with allografts. Am J Sports Med 2013; 41: 2288-2295
• 29 Herren T, Zdravkovic V. [Late reconstruction of distal biceps tendon rupture with fascia lata graft and Mitek anchors]. Unfallchirurg 2004; 107: 236-238
• 30 Hang DW, Bach jr. BR, Bojchuk J. Repair of chronic distal biceps brachii tendon rupture using free autogenous semitendinosus tendon. Clin Orthop Relat Res 1996; (323) 188-191
• 31 Alentorn-Geli E, Assenmacher A, Sánchez-Sotelo J. Distal biceps tendon injuries: a clinically relevant current concepts review. EFORT Open Rev 2017; 1: 316-324
• 32 Sutton KM, Dodds SD, Ahmad CS. et al. Surgical treatment of distal biceps rupture. J Am Acad Orthop Surg 2010; 18: 139-148
• 33 Grewal R, Athwal GS, MacDermid JC. et al. Single versus double-incision technique for the repair of acute distal biceps tendon ruptures: a randomized clinical trial. J Bone Joint Surg 2012; 94: 1166-1174
• 34 Morrey BF. Repair of the distal Biceps Tendon Rupture. In: Morrey BF. ed. Masterʼs Technique in orthopaedic Surgery. The Elbow. Philadelphia: Wolters Kluwer; 2015: 267-289
• 35 van den Bekerom MP, Kodde IF, Aster A. et al. Clinical relevance of distal biceps insertional and footprint anatomy. Knee Surg SportsTraumatol Arthrosc 2016; 24: 2300-2307
• 36 Beldner S, Zlotolow DA, Melone CP. et al. Anatomy of the lateral antebrachial cutaneous and superficial radial nerves in the forearm: a cadaveric and clinical study. J Hand Surg Am 2005; 30: 1226-1230