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A Simple Grafting Method to Repair Irreparable Distal Biceps Tendon

  • Original Article
  • Published:
Clinical Orthopaedics and Related Research

Abstract

Irreparable distal biceps tendon tears typically are treated using a free tendon graft. We asked whether our new method to fix the graft—using two suture anchors—yields similar results to our previous bone canal method. We compared the two methods for strength, endurance, and clinical findings. There were two groups, the suture anchor group (Group A, seven patients) and the bone canal group operated on before suture anchors (Group B, seven patients). The patients were males with a mean age at surgery of 44.9 years. The operative delay from primary trauma to index surgery averaged 5.9 months. The minimum followup was 2 years (mean, 11.1 years; range, 2–23 years). The mean arc of elbow motion was 0° to 132°, pronation 83°, and supination 80°. Compared with the contralateral side, the maximal peak torque was 84% in supination and 91% in pronation, and the maximal static elbow flexion strength was 94%. The Mayo elbow score averaged 99 in Group A and 100 in Group B. There were no major differences between the two groups. Our novel modification to fix a tendon graft yields equal clinical outcomes compared with the bone canal method for treatment of irreparable distal biceps tendon injuries.

Level of Evidence: Level IV, therapeutic study. See the Guidelines for Authors for a complete description of levels of evidence.

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Acknowledgments

We thank physiotherapist Minttu Vartia for conducting biomechanical strength testing, physiotherapist Jyrki Kettunen, PhD, for statistical help, and Anna Viinikainen, MD, PhD for a line diagram.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. ORTON Orthopaedic Hospital, Invalid Foundation, Helsinki, Finland

    Martti Vastamäki MD, PhD & Heidi Vastamäki MD

  2. Elotie 1 A 2, Kaarina, 20780, Finland

    Martti Vastamäki MD, PhD

Authors
  1. Martti Vastamäki MD, PhD
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  2. Heidi Vastamäki MD
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Correspondence to Martti Vastamäki MD, PhD.

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Each author certifies that he or she has no commercial associations (eg, consultancies, stock ownership, equity interest, patent/licensing arrangements, etc) that might pose a conflict of interest in connection with the submitted article.

Each author certifies that his or her institution has approved the human protocol for this investigation, that all investigations were conducted in conformity with ethical principles of research, and that informed consent for participation in the study was obtained.

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Vastamäki, M., Vastamäki, H. A Simple Grafting Method to Repair Irreparable Distal Biceps Tendon. Clin Orthop Relat Res 466, 2475–2481 (2008). https://doi.org/10.1007/s11999-008-0389-y

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s11999-008-0389-y

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