Triceps Tendon Ruptures in Professional Football Players

BACKGROUND: Distal rupture of the triceps tendon is a rare injury, and treatment guidelines are not well established. HYPOTHESIS: Football players with triceps tendon ruptures will be able to return to their sport with minimal functional deficits. STUDY DESIGN: Uncontrolled retrospective review. METHODS: Twenty-one partial and complete ruptures of the triceps tendon were identified in 19 National Football League players over a period of 6 years. Team physicians retrospectively reviewed training room, clinical, and operative notes for each of these players. RESULTS: Most of the injured players were linemen. The most common mechanism of injury was an eccentric load to a contracting triceps. Seven players had prodromal symptoms prior to injury, and 5 had received a cortisone injection. Eleven elbows with complete tears underwent surgical repair. Of 10 players with partial tears, 6 healed without surgery. One player suffered a subsequent complete tear requiring surgery, and 3 with residual pain and weakness underwent surgical repair following the season. Two surgical complications occurred, both requiring a second operation. All of the players but 1 returned to play at least one season of professional football after their injury. CONCLUSIONS: Partial triceps tendon ruptures can heal without functional deficit. Surgical repair for complete ruptures generally produces good functional results and allows return to play.