Elbow: Distal Biceps Injuries....Is Surgery Always Needed?

Description

Andrew Duckworth opens a discussion on distal biceps tendon injuries, emphasizing the need to evaluate whether surgery is always necessary. He highlights that these injuries predominantly affect middle-aged men, particularly smokers and steroid users. Duckworth outlines the treatment options, which include both non-operative and surgical approaches, and notes that surgery involves various techniques but carries risks of complications, including nerve injuries and rerupture. He presents findings from studies indicating that surgical intervention generally leads to better strength outcomes but questions the clinical significance of these improvements compared to non-operative management. Duckworth calls for more robust research, particularly randomized controlled trials, to better assess the benefits of surgery versus conservative treatment, underscoring the importance of return to work for patients as a critical factor in their recovery.

DOI: 10.1302/3114-230460

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