Repaired distal biceps magnetic resonance imaging anatomy compared with outcome

Background This study examined the magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) appearance of an anterior incision distal biceps tendon repair and evaluated the association between appearance and outcome. Materials and methods Nineteen patients were randomly recruited to undergo an elbow MRI from a single-surgeon series of distal biceps repairs using an anterior approach. Tendon healing was evaluated by the integrity of the repair, the amount of heterogeneity within the tendon substance, and the presence of heterotopic bone. The angle of tendon insertion on the tuberosity was used to quantify the tendon location from the MRI in the patients and in 10 healthy volunteers. All patients completed the Disabilities of Arm, Shoulder and Hand (DASH) and a visual analog pain scale (VAPS), and 17 patients underwent isometric supination strength testing. MRI findings were statistically compared with the outcome scores. Results All of the repairs healed to cortical bone. High intrasubstance heterogeneity or heterotopic bone was present in 11 patients (58%). The insertion site angle of the repaired tendons was 73° more anterior than the uninjured controls ( P