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Study: Achilles tendon allograft is safe and efficacious to use in chronic distal biceps reconstruction
Researchers found good results when performing distal biceps reconstruction using an Achilles tendon allograft after a chronic rupture, according to results of this study.
“Late reconstruction for chronic ruptures of the distal biceps using allograft tissue is a safe and effective solution for symptomatic patients with functional demands in forearm supination and elbow flexion,” Nimrod Snir, MD, and colleagues wrote in the abstract. “While there are several graft options, the literature supports good results with Achilles tendon allografts. Further studies are needed to evaluate the clinical outcomes of other allograft options.”
Snir and colleagues examined 18 patients who underwent reconstruction for chronic rupture of the distal biceps between May 2007 and May 2012. In the study, 15 patients underwent reconstruction with allograft, 1 patient with semitendinosus, 1 patient with gracilis and 1 patient with anterior tibialis. The researchers used the Mayo Elbow Performance Score (MEPS) and DASH questionnaire to measure functional outcomes.
At 9.3-month follow-up, all patients had a full range of motion with a mean gross flexion and supination strength of 4.7 of 5, according to the abstract. At 21-month follow-up, the patients had a mean DASH score of 7.5 points and a mean postoperative MEPS score of 94.2 points compared with 43.1 points preoperatively.
Disclosure: One of the authors (Jazrawi) received grants from Arthrex and the Musculoskeletal Transplant Foundation.