Biomechanical analysis of single-incision anatomic repair technique for distal biceps tendon rupture using tunneling device. (April 2023)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Qazi, Sohail; Regal, Steven; Greco, Victor; Wroblewski, Andrew; Schimoler, Patrick J; Miller, Mark C; Hammarstedt, Jon E
• Is Part Of: Shoulder & elbow. Volume 15:Number 2(2023)
• Page Start: 195
• Page End: 206
• Publication Date: 2023-04
• Subjects: Distal biceps -- biceps rupture -- biomechanics; Elbow -- Diseases -- Periodicals; Elbow -- Surgery -- Periodicals; Shoulder -- Diseases -- Periodicals; Shoulder -- Surgery -- Periodicals; Shoulder -- Periodicals; Elbow -- Periodicals; Shoulder Joint -- Periodicals; Elbow Joint -- Periodicals; 617.572005
• DOI: 10.1177/17585732211034818
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 1758-5732

Abstract

Hypothesis: Single-incision biceps tendon repair with an arthrotunneling device has previously been shown to be a safe and effective technique that provides the anatomic restoration of a two-incision approach and a reduced complication profile. This repair provides adequate and comparable fixation to repairs utilizing anchors, buttons, screws, etc., at a lower cost. Material and methods: This study utilized 10 cadaveric specimens. Native and repair specimens were cyclically loaded and graft displacement, flexion/extension (FE) and pronation/supination (PS) moment arms at 12.5° to 152.5° (in 5° increments) before and after repair, and maximum load to failure were measured. Results: The FE and PS moment arms and overall maximum moment arms were both significantly larger in the repaired case than in the native case (p < 0.01). Moment arms for supinated specimens were significantly greater than neutral specimens, which in turn was greater than pronated specimens (p < 0.01). The maximum load up to 10 mm of repair displacement was 214.5.0 ± 66.6 N and the repair displacement due to 1000 cycles of 50 N was 2.56 ± 2.06 mm. Conclusion: The single-incision arthrotunneling technique is a safe and effective repair that recreates the anatomic footprint and biomechanics of the native biceps and has a reduced complication profile compared to a two-incision approach.