ABSTRACT

Hong Kong Med J 2009;15:294-6 | Number 4, August 2009
CASE REPORT
Unusual traumatic triceps tendon avulsion rupture: a word of caution
Alexander PH Chan, CK Lo, HY Lam, KY Fung
Department of Orthopaedics and Traumatology, Alice Ho Miu Ling Nethersole Hospital, Tai Po, Hong Kong
 
 
Triceps tendon rupture is a rare condition. The usual mechanism of injury is a fall on an outstretched hand, although direct contact injuries have also been reported to cause this injury. A 67-year-old woman presented with injuries caused by direct impact to her right elbow after a fall. X-rays of the elbow demonstrated the cardinal clinical 'gap' and 'flake' signs. It is necessary to be aware of this injury and perform a careful examination at the time of the initial presentation, as the signs of this injury are usually subtle. Most reported primary repairs have been performed with non-absorbable transosseous sutures. In this case report, we show how using suture anchors for reattachment is a technically feasible alternative operative method providing a good surgical outcome.
 
Key words: Elbow; Muscle skeletal; Rehabilitation; Rupture; Tendon injuries
 
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