Functional outcome in patients who underwent distal biceps tendon repair.

INTRODUCTION

To asses physical function and quality of life after distal biceps tendon repair and compare suture anchor and cortical button fixation. Secondarily, we assessed the impact of other factors: acute repair, graft use, concomitant arm conditions, contralateral rupture, and complications.

METHODS

We approached all 50 patients that underwent distal biceps tendon rupture repair (2009-2016) to participate in our study and complete a questionnaire including: patient demographics, QuickDASH, Quality of life EQ-5D-5L, pain score, and Mayo Elbow Performance score (MEPS).

RESULTS

In total, 37 (76%) of 49 alive patients participated in our study. All were men, with a median age of 47 years. Median follow-up was 34 months (range 8-100 months). On average, we found perfect upper extremity (QuickDASH, median: 0, IQR 0-7.9; 53% had no [QuickDASH = 0] upper extremity disability) and elbow function (MEPS, median: 100, IQR 100-100; 83% had perfect [MEPS > 90] clinical elbow function), perfect quality of life (EQ-5D-5L, median: 1, IQR 0.85-1; 59% had perfect [EQ-5D-5L = 1] quality of life), and no pain (median 0, IQR 0-0; 68% had no pain). We found no difference in upper extremity (QuickDASH: anchor, median 1.1, IQR 0-6.8; endobutton, median 0, IQR 0-9.1, p = 0.972) and elbow (MEPS: anchor, median 100, IQR 100-100; endobutton, median 100, IQR 100-100, p = 0.895) function, quality of life (EQ-5D-5L: anchor, median 1, IQR 0.85-1; endobutton, median 1, IQR 0.84-1, p = 0.507), and pain score (anchor, median 0, IQR 0-0.5; endobutton, median 0, IQR 0-0, p = 0.742) when comparing the anchor to endobutton fixation technique.

CONCLUSIONS

Overall, patients have excellent outcome after distal biceps tendon rupture repair. There was no difference in patient-reported outcome measures between suture anchor and endobutton fixation.

LEVEL OF EVIDENCE: Level III, retrospective comparative study.