Systematic review of distal biceps tendon rupture in athletes: Treatment and Rehabilitation

• Published in: Journal of shoulder and elbow surgery 2022-08, Vol.31 (8), p.1763-1772
• Main Authors: Pitsilos, Charalampos, Gigis, Ioannis, Chitas, Konstantinos, Papadopoulos, Pericles, Ditsios, Konstantinos
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: distal biceps tendon; outcome; rehabilitation; return to sport; rupture; treatment
• ISSN: 1058-2746; 1532-6500
• DOI: 10.1016/j.jse.2022.02.027

Distal biceps tendon rupture is a rare injury associated to decreased elbow flexion and forearm supination strength. This impairment is not tolerated by high demand patients like athletes. To review treatment and rehabilitation applied to injured athletes and study their impact in return to sports. MEDLINE, Cochrane, Web of Science and Scopus online databases were searched. A systematic review was conducted using the PRISMA guidelines; studies published on distal biceps tendon rupture treatment and rehabilitation of athletes until 30 June of 2021, were identified. A quantitative synthesis of factor related to return to preinjury sport activity was made. Ten articles were identified, including 157 athletes. Mean age was 40.5 years and dominant arm was injured in 66%. Rupture was acute in 77% and mean follow-up was 25.7 months. A 97.5% of return to sport was found within a mean time of 6.2 months. Surgical treatment was followed in all cases. One-incision technique was chosen in 73% and suture anchor fixation in 33%. No postsurgical immobilization was reported in 24% and immobilization for 2 weeks in 79%. Decreased supination-pronation and flexion-extension arc was found in 40% and 17%, respectively. Earlier return to sport was associated with non-dominant side (p=0,007) and acute (p