Distal Triceps Knotless Anatomic Footprint Repair: A New Technique

Abstract

Distal triceps rupture is a rare injury causing significant disability. Several techniques for treating distal triceps ruptures have been described using bone tunnels or suture anchors. More recent techniques have focused on re-creating the anatomic footprint of the distal triceps tendon. However, the increasing numbers of anchors used increase the risk to the articular surface, and all earlier techniques require knot tying and bulky knots beneath the thin posterior elbow soft-tissue envelope. We describe a technique combining the use of bone tunnels and a single suture anchor to create a knotless anatomic footprint repair of the distal triceps. By using this technique, we are able to create a tension-band construct that self-reinforces the anatomic repair and is very low profile while significantly decreasing risk to the articular surface.