Proximal radial fracture after revision of distal biceps tendon repair: A case report

Distal biceps tendon ruptures are considered relatively uncommon injuries, with only around 300 reported cases in the literature as of 1997.20 They comprise only 3% 9 to 10% 10,22 of all biceps tendon injuries, whereas the majority affect the proximal tendon. The incidence,5 pathomechanics ,1,2,18,19 and pathophysiology of this condition,4,17,21 as well as various treatment options,2,14,18,19 have been reported. Reinsertion can be achieved by use of either a Henry anterior approach coupled with suture anchors, the Boyd-Anderson double-incision technique, or a single posterior incision.6,13 Various complications have been reported after repair. These include radial and median nerve injury 5,15 and transient paresthesia of the lateral antebrachial cutaneous nerve6,8,11,16 after an anterior incision, posterior interosseous nerve injury after the Boyd-Anderson technique3 and Morrey’s muscle-splitting modification of the posterior approach,17 and radioulnar synostosis after the Boyd-Anderson technique.7

However, there are no reports in the literature on proximal radial fracture through the repair site. This is the first report of a proximal radial fracture after the patient under-went repair and subsequent revision repair of a distal biceps tendon rupture via a 2-incision approach.