RETURN TO SPORT FOLLOWING DISTAL TRICEPS REPAIR
Figure 1 - Return to sport, stratified by specific sport. The direct rates of return to commonly reported sports were reported for running (20/22), weightlifting (29/32), golf (16/18), swimming (10/14), basketball (9/14), CrossFit training (5/9), cycling (7/13), baseball (2/4), football (3/7), and soccer (1/3).
Purpose
The purpose of this investigation was to examine the timeline of return-to-sport following distal triceps repair; evaluate the degree of participation and function upon returning to sport; and identify risk factors for failure to return to sport.
Methods
Patients who underwent distal triceps repair with a minimum of 1 year of follow-up were retrospectively reviewed. Patients completed a subjective sports questionnaire and were scored on a visual analog scale for pain; the Mayo Elbow Performance Index; the Quick Disabilities of the Arm, Shoulder, and Hand; and the Single Assessment Numerical Evaluation.
Workout outcomes
Many patients who performed pushups (48/52; 92.3%) and dips (27/34; 79.4%) prior to surgery were capable of doing so following distal triceps repair. Patients were able to perform a similar number of repetitions of pushups (44.8 ± 36.4 vs 35.0 ± 27.2 preoperatively; P = .15) and dips (22.8 ± 18.2 vs 15.0 ± 11.5 postoperatively) following surgery. Every patient who previously performed a barbell bench press was able to do so following surgery (37/37; 100%). There was a decrease in the 1-repetition maximum weight (247.1 ± 109.3 lbs. preoperatively vs 198.0 ± 76.7 lbs. postoperatively); however, there was no difference in the 10-repetition maximum weight (188.1 ± 81.4 lbs. preoperatively vs 159.7 ± 73.7 lbs. postoperatively) following distal triceps repair. Workout outcomes are provided in Figure 2.
Results
Out of 113 eligible patients who had a distal triceps repair, 81 patients (71.7%) were contacted. Sixty-eight patients (84.0%) who participated in sports prior to surgery were included at 6.0 ± 4.0 years after surgery, and the average age was 46.6 ± 11.5 years. Sixty-one patients (89.7%) resumed playing at least 1 sport by 5.9 ± 4.4 months following distal triceps repair. However, 18 patients (29.5%) returned to a lower level of activity intensity. The average postoperative Quick Disabilities of the Arm, Shoulder, and Hand; Mayo Elbow Performance; visual analog scale for pain; and Single Assessment Numerical Evaluation scores were 8.2 ± 14.0, 89.5 ± 13.4, 2.0 ± 1.7, and 82.2 ± 24.3, respectively. No patients underwent revision surgery at the time of final follow-up.
Conclusions
Distal triceps repair enables 89.7% of patients to return to sport by 5.9 ± 4.4 months following surgery. However, 29.5% of patients were unable to return to their preinjury level of activity. It is imperative that patients are appropriately educated to manage postoperative expectations regarding sport participation following distal triceps repair.
Click on the link for the full print article:
Return to Sport Following Distal Triceps Repair - Journal of Hand Surgery (jhandsurg.org)
Published January 22, 2022 in the Journal of Hand Surgery.