REHABILITATION FOLLOWING DISTAL BICEPS REPAIR

Background and Purpose: Distal biceps rupture is less common than injury to the proximal biceps; however, injury distally has profound functional implications on activities which rely on power during elbow flexion and forearm supination. The majority of distal biceps ruptures can be treated with surgical repair of the distal biceps utilizing either a single or two-incision technique; both of which achieve comparable improved outcomes and reported minimal pain and disability at two years. Safe and effective rehabilitation following distal biceps repair is accomplished through a phased progression, with avoidance of premature stress to the healing soft tissue repair. The purpose of this clinical commentary is to provide a concise review of distal biceps tendon injury, including relevant anatomy, etiology, diagnosis, and operative intervention as well as post-operative factors influencing the pursuit of a criterion based, progressive rehabilitation program after distal biceps tendon repair. This commentary seeks to provide an update on current treatment strategies used in distal biceps rehabilitation with accompanying scientific rationale.