Triceps rupture

• Rare and seen in middle aged men

• Risk factors

  • systemic illness (hyperparathyroidism, renal osteodystrophy, type I Diabetes…)

  • anabolic steroid use

  • local steroid injection 

  • fluoroquinolone use

  • chronic olecranon bursitis

• Clinical presentation

  • patients often note a painful pop

  • pain, swelling, and ecchymosis over the posterior aspect of the elbow

  • palpable defect

  • impossible to perform active extension

Treatment

• Conservative treatment: splint in 30 degrees of flexion for 4 weeks. Indicated if:

  • partial tears and able to extend against gravity

  • low demand patients in poor health

• Surgical repair