One-year minimum follow-up results following distal biceps tendon repair using tension slide technique

Background Tears of the distal biceps tendon are unusual and most often result from an injury or lifting a heavy object. These tears are usually complete and the muscle is separated from the bone and retracted back, causing weakness in supination and mid-prone elbow flexion. We present our results of patients undergoing repairs of these tears using the tension slide technique through a single longitudinal anterior incision who were followed up for a minimum of 1 year. Patients and methods A total of 17 patients with acute distal biceps tendon rupture were treated surgically by two surgeons, at two independent centers, using the tension slide technique (Arthrex) between 2017 and 2019. Patients were evaluated retrospectively at a minimum of 1-year follow-up using the patient-reported outcomes Quick Disabilities of the Arm, Shoulder, and Hand (DASH), Oxford elbow score (OES) and EQ-5D-5L. Results The average age at the time of injury was 49 years. All patients were right-hand dominant. Eleven injuries were on the right and remaining on the left side. All patients were males, and there was no documented history of anabolic steroid use. The average time to surgery, following injury, was 6 weeks. The mean postoperative DASH score was 4.4, the average OES was 49.17, and mean European quality of life five dimension (EQ5D) Vas was 84. The elbow range of motion (ROM) was comparable to the healthy contralateral side. There were no reported major complications, although we did have two (11%) minor complications: one case with delayed wound healing and the second patient with a delayed infection, treated with oral antibiotics for 14 days. Conclusions The utilization of the tension slide technique for repair of acute distal tendon biceps rupture using Endobutton and interference screw is safe. The complications were minor, and the function was excellent as reflected with OES and DASH scores.