Distal biceps tendon injuries

Distal biceps tendon (DBT) conditions are relatively common in middle-aged males. The number of reported DBT tears seems to have increased over the last few years, likely related to better understanding and improved diagnostic methods.1 While some individuals may maintain reasonable function after non-operative treatment of a ruptured DBT, biomechanical and clinical studies suggest that most individuals benefit from surficial repair or reconstruction.2 Over the last decade, there has been a substantial increase in the number of studies focussed on DBT tears, mostly reporting on biomechanical and clinical outcomes depending on the surgical technique or fixation method.2-4 However, some aspects of the evaluation and treatment of DBT-related conditions remain controversial. The purpose of this article is to provide an up-to-date review of the literature with emphasis on the most clinically relevant available information.