DISTAL BICEPS TENDON REPAIR
Distal biceps tendon ruptures occur most frequently in middle-aged males. It results in loss of elbow flexion and supination strength if not repaired. Complete ruptures result in retraction and shortening of the biceps muscle in the arm resulting in a notable asymmetry with the uninvolved arm. Less commonly a partial rupture can result in chronic pain in the front of the elbow.
Traditional surgical treatment results in a large unsightly scar in the front of the elbow. However, new innovative equipment has allowed for a minimally invasive procedure whereby the biceps tendon is repaired with the aid of an endoscope (small video camera). New instrumentation developed by the American Hand Institute allows for specially trained surgeons to perform the repair through a portal (very small incision). This new technique has revolutionized the surgery for repair of distal biceps tendon tears.
