The muscles and tendons in the upper arm are integral components of the elbow and used for shoulder joint movement. When triceps or biceps and related tendons are torn or injured, it can impact the ability to lift and use your arm and shoulder, as well as straighten and bend the elbow. Dr. Steven Struhl is one of the most respected orthopedic surgeons and shoulder specialists in the country, offering triceps tendon tear treatment at his clinics in NYC and Westchester.
Causes and Symptoms of Triceps Tendon Injuries
The triceps is the large muscle in the back of the elbow that serves to straighten your elbow, connected to the shoulder and lower arm with tendons. Ruptures involving the distal triceps tendon are relatively uncommon and normally result from a sudden injury, such as a fall on an outstretched hand or a direct blow to the elbow. It can also result from weightlifting and through the use of anabolic steroids.
Risk factors for a distal triceps tendon tear include olecranon bursitis, hyperparathyroidism and local corticosteroid use. People with a distal triceps tear have pain, swelling and limited elbow range of motion. The distal triceps tear usually occurs when there is an eccentric load to a contracting triceps and commonly occurs professional athletes.
Your physician will usually order x-rays of the elbow to rule out other conditions causing similar symptoms. An MRI is usually done to confirm the diagnosis. Incomplete tears can be treated with conservative methods. Surgery to repair the tendon is required for patients with complete tears or incomplete tears with concomitant loss of strength.
If you suffer a triceps tendon tear from a sports injury or accident, you may experience pain and loss of complete arm function. Dr. Steven Struhl offers an advanced diagnosis and treatment for triceps tendon tears at his clinics in Westchester, NY, and NYC. Contact one of our clinics to schedule your exam with Dr. Struhl for an evaluation of your triceps injury.
