Effectiveness of MRI to assess the integrity of distal biceps tendon repair during the first year postoperatively

Abstract

Background: 

The MRI characteristics of a healing distal biceps tendon have not been intensively studied or reported.

Methods: 

We performed clinical follow-up and serial MRI for 1 year in nine patients who underwent double-incision repair of a ruptured distal biceps tendon. Using a novel grading system, the MRI findings of tendon signal intensity and tendon fiber integrity were characterized and correlated with clinical findings documenting return to normal physical function.

Results: 

Pearson correlation coefficients demonstrated statistically significant but relatively weak correlation between clinical findings and MRI findings. Clinical findings and MRI fiber integrity scores (but not MRI signal-intensity scores) were significantly correlated to time after surgery. MRI fiber-integrity and signal-intensity scores were significantly correlated providing validation to the scoring system.

Conclusions: 

MRI findings indicative of healing tended to lag behind clinical outcome. Clinical examination findings versus the amount of time elapsed from surgery had the best correlation and thus the clinical findings may be of more practical utility for tendon integrity. We conclude that clinicians should avoid overinterpretation of MRI results for tendon integrity if MRI is obtained during the first year after surgical repair of the distal biceps tendon.