Chronic Tear of the Distal Triceps Tendon Treated With Suture Anchors and Fascia Lata Allograft: Case Report, Surgical Technique and Literature Review

Abstract

Chronic tears of the distal triceps tendon are extremely uncommon lesions. Surgical therapy can be performed with a direct reattachment of the 2 sides of the lesion or—in case of significant tendon retraction—using grafts to fill the resulting gap. Herein, we report a case of a torn distal triceps tendon that occurred in a 33-year-old patient suffering from paraplegia. The resulting functional impairment of the elbow impeded her to use a wheelchair, causing a substantial limitation to her mobility and autonomy. Preoperative clinical evaluation, x-rays, muscle-tendon ultrasound, and magnetic resonance imagingwas been performed. In consideration of a 6 cm retraction at the surgery, we reconstructed the tendon using a combination of suture anchors (5 mm Super Reevo ConMed) and a cadaver fascia lata allograft. After surgery, the elbow was immobilized in extension inside a brachio-metacarpal cast for 30 days. In the following month, the cast was replaced with a hinged elbow brace and progressive mobilization was permitted. Five months postoperatively, the patient regained her previous active flexion-extension articular ROM and was able to use her wheelchair again. No complication occurred.