Ramsey's 1999 narrative review synthesizes the epidemiology, anatomy, biomechanics, classification, surgical technique, and rehabilitation of distal biceps tendon ruptures — asking whether and how anatomic repair should be performed compared with nonoperative or non-anatomic alternatives.
When you see a middle-aged man with a palpable antecubital defect after an eccentric elbow load, the diagnosis is clinical — MRI is for partial tears or diagnostic uncertainty, not complete ruptures.
Offer early anatomic repair to anyone with functional demands: delayed repair beyond 4 weeks means proximal retraction, scarring, and possibly needing semitendinosus augmentation with less predictable strength recovery.
Ramsey's 1999 narrative review synthesizes the epidemiology, anatomy, biomechanics, classification, surgical technique, and rehabilitation of distal biceps tendon ruptures — asking whether and how anatomic repair should be performed compared with nonoperative or non-anatomic alternatives.
When you see a middle-aged man with a palpable antecubital defect after an eccentric elbow load, the diagnosis is clinical — MRI is for partial tears or diagnostic uncertainty, not complete ruptures.
Offer early anatomic repair to anyone with functional demands: delayed repair beyond 4 weeks means proximal retraction, scarring, and possibly needing semitendinosus augmentation with less predictable strength recovery.