We need you! Join our contributor community and become a WikEM editor through our open and transparent promotion process.
Triceps tendon rupture
From WikEM
Contents
Background
- Injury is rare and almost always occurs distally
- Results from FOOSH causing flexion of extended elbow or direct blow to olecranon
Clinical Features
- Pain and swelling posteriorly just proximal to the olecranon
- Sulcus with a more proximal mass (retracted triceps) may be palpated
- With complete rupture ability to extend the elbow is lost
Evaluation
- Obtain radiographs to rule-out avulsion fracture
Differential Diagnosis
Elbow Diagnoses
Radiograph-Positive
Radiograph-Negative
- Lateral epicondylitis
- Medial epicondylitis
- Olecranon bursitis (nonseptic)
- Septic bursitis
- Biceps tendon rupture/dislocation
Pediatric
- Nursemaid's elbow
- Supracondylar fracture
- Lateral epicondyle fracture
- Medial epicondyle fracture
- Olecranon fracture
- Radial head fracture
- Salter-Harris fractures
Shoulder and Upper Arm Diagnoses
Traumatic/Acute:
- Shoulder Dislocation
- Clavicle fracture
- Humerus fracture
- Scapula fracture
- Acromioclavicular injury
- Glenohumeral instability
- Rotator cuff tear
- Biceps tendon rupture
- Triceps tendon rupture
- Septic joint
Nontraumatic/Chronic:
- Rotator cuff tear
- Impingement syndrome
- Calcific tendinitis
- Adhesive capsulitis
- Biceps tendinitis
- Subacromial bursitis
Refered pain & non-orthopedic causes:
- Referred pain from
- Neck
- Diaphragm (e.g. gallbladder disease)
- Brachial plexus injury
- Axillary artery thrombosis
- Thoracic outlet syndrome
- Subclavian steal syndrome
- Pancoast tumor
- Myocardial infarction
- Pneumonia
- Pulmonary embolism
Management
- Sling, ice, and referral to ortho
- Most partial tears can be treated conservatively with immobilization
