Triceps tendon rupture

Last revised by Sajanakan Sriselvakumar on 18 Oct 2022

A triceps tendon rupture represents the extreme end of the spectrum of triceps tendon tears where there is complete detachment of the triceps tendon. It most often occurs at the distal end.  It is more common in males and seen in age groups 30-50. 

Pathology

If can either occur in an acute setting with trauma (e.g. as a result of a sudden forceful elbow contraction in weightlifters) or on a background of chronic triceps tendinopathic changes (older individuals with underlying systemic illnesses).

A rupture most commonly occurs at the osseous insertion of the medial or lateral head as a detachment of tendon from the bone.

Musculotendinous junction or intramuscular ruptures are considered very rare 4

Risk factors

Chronic conditions which include

Radiographic features

Plain film

Non specific but may show an appearance of a "flake sign" or "fleck sign" on a lateral radiograph.

Ultrasound

May show a gap in tendon with lack of movement on dynamic interrogation +/-  fusiform swelling and retraction of tendon / muscle portions.

MRI

MRI may overestimate tears 1 but may show a deficit - gap in the tendon +/- surrounding soft tissue inflammatory changes. MRI can be beneficial in differentiating between partial and complete tears. 

 

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