Abstract
Triceps tendon injuries are probably among the rarest tendon injuries in the human body. Evidence shows male predominance with wide age variance at occurrence. The most common rupture site is at the tendon’s insertion into the olecranon and more rarely at the myotendinous junction or intramuscularly. Triceps tendon ruptures may be due to four major causes: traumatic lesion, spontaneous rupture, overuse injuries, following total elbow arthroplasty. Understanding the anatomy of the triceps tendon is key to good clinical assessment following post-traumatic triceps injury, and it helps to improve the outcome following surgical repair. Elbow extension against gravity or resistance may be difficult or impossible when the triceps distal tendon is ruptured or avulsed from the olecranon insertion.
Complete ruptures of all three tendon insertion heads (long, lateral and medial heads) generally require surgical treatment. Partial lesions are functionally well tolerated in patients with low functional demand.
This is a preview of subscription content, log in via an institution to check access.
Access this chapter
Tax calculation will be finalised at checkout
Purchases are for personal use only
References
Keener JD, Chafik D, Kim M, Galatz LM, Yamaguchi K. Insertional anatomy of the triceps brachii tendon. J Shoulder Elb Surg. 2010;19:399–405.
Belentani C, Pastore D, Wangwinyuvirat M, Dirim B, Trudell DI, Haghighi P, et al. Triceps brachii tendon: anatomic-MR imaging. Study in cadavers with histological correlation. Skelet Radiol. 2009;38:171–5.
Anzel SH, Convey KW, Weiner AD, Lipscomb PR. Disruption of muscles and tendons: an analysis of 1014 cases. Surgery. 1959;45:406–14.
Kibuule LK, Fehringer EV. Distal triceps tendon rupture and repair in an otherwise healthy pediatric patient: a case report and review of the literature. J Shoulder Elb Surg. 2007;16(3):e1–3.
Yoon MY, Koris MJ, Ortiz JA, Papandrea RF. Triceps avulsion, radial head fracture, and medial collateral ligament rupture about the elbow: a report of 4 cases. J Shoulder Elb Surg. 2012;21:12–7.
Huxley AF, Niedergerke R. Structural changes in muscle during contraction: interference microscopy of living muscle fibers. Nature. 1954;173:971–3.
Smart GW, Taunton JE, Clement DB. Achilles tendon disorders in runners. A review. Med Sc Sports Exerc. 1980;12:231–43.
Celli A, Arash A, Adams RA, Morrey BF. Triceps tendon insufficiency following total elbow arthroplasty. J Bone Joint Surg Am. 2005;87:1957–4964.
Yeh PC, Dodds SD, Smart LR, et al. Distal triceps rupture. J Am Acad Orthop Surg. 2010;18(1):31–40.
Mair SD, Isbell WM, Gill TJ, et al. Triceps tendon ruptures in professional football players. Am J Sports Med. 2004;32(2):431–4.
Celli A, Morrey BF. Triceps insufficiency following total elbow arthroplasty. In: Morrey BF, Sanchez Sotelo J, editors. The elbow and its disorders. 4th ed; 2009. p. 873–9.
Inhofe PD, Manein MS. Late presentation of triceps rupture: a case report and review of literature. Am J Orthop. 1996;11:290–2.
Viegas SF. Avulsion of the triceps tendon. Orthop Rev. 1990;19(6):533–6.
Celli A. Chapter 38. Triceps tendon ruptures. In: Wiesel SW, editor. Operative techniques in orthopaedic surgery, Shoulder and elbow part 7, vol. 3. Wolters Kluwer; 2015. p. 3917–33.
Kaempffe FA, Lerner RM. Ultrasound diagnosis of tricep tendon rupture: a report of 2 cases. Clin Orthop Relat Res. 1996;332:138–42.
Gaines ST, Durbin RA, Marsalka DS. The use of magnetic resonance imaging in the Diagnosis of triceps tendon ruptures. Contemp Orthop. 1990;20:607–11.
Nirschl RP. Prevention and treatment of elbow and shoulder injuries in the tennis player. Clin Sports Med. 1988;7:289–308.
Morrey BF. Rupture of the triceps tendon. In: Morrey BF, Sanchez-Sotelo J, editors. The elbow and its disorders. Saunders Elsevier; 2009. p. 536–46.
Author information
Authors and Affiliations
Editor information
Editors and Affiliations
Rights and permissions
Copyright information
© 2023 ISAKOS
About this chapter
Cite this chapter
Celli, A., Fabio, N., Vito, D., Pederzini, L.A. (2023). Evaluation of Triceps Tendon. In: Lane, J.G., Gobbi, A., Espregueira-Mendes, J., Kaleka, C.C., Adachi, N. (eds) The Art of the Musculoskeletal Physical Exam. Springer, Cham. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-031-24404-9_15
Download citation
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-031-24404-9_15
Published:
Publisher Name: Springer, Cham
Print ISBN: 978-3-031-24403-2
Online ISBN: 978-3-031-24404-9
eBook Packages: MedicineMedicine (R0)