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Triceps Tendon Rupture, Sports Medicine

Christopher Miles, MD, CAQSM and Matthew Horn, MD Reviewed 04/2019
 


BASICS

DESCRIPTION

Triceps rupture occurs when the triceps tendon becomes detached from its insertion on the olecranon after an elbow injury 1

EPIDEMIOLOGY

Incidence

  • Least common of all tendon injuries ...

DIAGNOSIS

HISTORY

  • Fall on outstretched hand 4[C]

  • Direct elbow trauma 4[C]

  • Patients may feel a pop with resisted elbow extension such as with weight lifting or daily activities 1[C].

PHYSICAL EXAM

  • Swelling ...

TREATMENT

GENERAL MEASURES

  • Ice and acetaminophen or nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) initially are appropriate.

  • Arm should be placed in sling with 90 degrees or less of flexion initially af...

ONGOING CARE

FOLLOW-UP RECOMMENDATIONS

Routine follow-up at 4 to 6 wk (transition from immobilization to ROM), 12 wk (transition from ROM to strengthening), and 6 mo (medical clearance) 1,6 

PATIENT EDUCATION

REFERENCES

1
Demirhan M, Ersen A. Distal triceps ruptures. EFORT Open Rev.  2016;1(6):255–259.
2
Dunn JC, Kusnezov N, Fares A, et al. Triceps tendon ruptures: a systematic review. Hand (N Y).  ...

ADDITIONAL READING

  • Aunon-Martin I, Prada-Canizares A, Jimenez-Diaz V, et al. Treatment of a complex distal triceps tendon rupture with a new technique: a case report. Arch Trauma Res.  2016;5(1):...

CLINICAL PEARLS

  • Triceps rupture should be included in differential diagnosis of every patient with an acute elbow injury 6.

  • Significant swelling increases risk of missing diagnosis initially because it...

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