Acute Triceps Tendon Repair: A Technique Utilizing 3 Curved Tunnels and Proximal Knots  Alison K. Sarokhan, M.D., Nicky L. Leung, M.D.  Arthroscopy Techniques  Volume 8, Issue 7, Pages e705-e712 (July 2019) DOI: 10.1016/j.eats.2019.03.005 Copyright © 2019 Arthroscopy Association of North America Terms and Conditions

Fig 1 An approximately 10-cm longitudinal curvilinear incision is made, curving just lateral to the tip of the olecranon. (*, olecranon; D, distal; L, lateral; M, medial; P, proximal.) Arthroscopy Techniques 2019 8, e705-e712DOI: (10.1016/j.eats.2019.03.005) Copyright © 2019 Arthroscopy Association of North America Terms and Conditions

Fig 2 The paratenon is incised longitudinally and preserved for later repair. (D, distal; L, lateral; M, medial; P, proximal.) Arthroscopy Techniques 2019 8, e705-e712DOI: (10.1016/j.eats.2019.03.005) Copyright © 2019 Arthroscopy Association of North America Terms and Conditions

Fig 3 The tendon end is grasped with a nonpenetrating clamp over a damp sponge to avoid further traumatizing the ruptured end of the tendon. (D, distal; L, lateral; M, medial; P, proximal; T, triceps tendon.) Arthroscopy Techniques 2019 8, e705-e712DOI: (10.1016/j.eats.2019.03.005) Copyright © 2019 Arthroscopy Association of North America Terms and Conditions

Fig 4 A small extension of the longitudinal split between the heads of the triceps may be made to allow for further mobilization of the tendon. (D, distal; L, lateral; M, medial; P, proximal; T, triceps tendon.) Arthroscopy Techniques 2019 8, e705-e712DOI: (10.1016/j.eats.2019.03.005) Copyright © 2019 Arthroscopy Association of North America Terms and Conditions

Fig 5 Longitudinal tension is applied to the tendon stump for several minutes so the triceps muscle can regain its normal resting length. (D, distal; L, lateral; M, medial; T, triceps tendon.) Arthroscopy Techniques 2019 8, e705-e712DOI: (10.1016/j.eats.2019.03.005) Copyright © 2019 Arthroscopy Association of North America Terms and Conditions

Fig 6 The bony footprint is cleared of residual tendon and soft-tissue debris, then lightly decorticated using a curette or burr to create a bleeding bed for healing. (*, olecranon; D, distal; L, lateral; M, medial; P, proximal.) Arthroscopy Techniques 2019 8, e705-e712DOI: (10.1016/j.eats.2019.03.005) Copyright © 2019 Arthroscopy Association of North America Terms and Conditions

Fig 7 A 2-mm drill is used to create 3 holes in the central, radial, and ulnar aspects of the tendon footprint leaving approximately 1 cm of bone between each hole. (*, olecranon; D, distal; L, lateral; M, medial; P, proximal.) Arthroscopy Techniques 2019 8, e705-e712DOI: (10.1016/j.eats.2019.03.005) Copyright © 2019 Arthroscopy Association of North America Terms and Conditions

Fig 8 Three parallel holes are drilled through the dorsal cortex about 1 cm distal to the first 3 holes. The drill holes are connected to make 3 curved bone tunnels with the assistance of a small curette. (*, olecranon; D, distal; L, lateral; M, medial; P, proximal.) Arthroscopy Techniques 2019 8, e705-e712DOI: (10.1016/j.eats.2019.03.005) Copyright © 2019 Arthroscopy Association of North America Terms and Conditions

Fig 9 (A) A nonabsorbable high-strength suture, such as a No. 5 Ethibond (Ethicon) or a No. 2 FiberWire (Arthrex) is then passed antegrade through the central tunnel. (B) It is then shuttled retrograde through the most lateral tunnel. (C) After the first suture has been passed antegrade through the central tunnel, then shuttled retrograde through the most lateral tunnel. (CT, central tunnel; D, distal; L, lateral; LT, lateral tunnel; M, medial; P, proximal.) Arthroscopy Techniques 2019 8, e705-e712DOI: (10.1016/j.eats.2019.03.005) Copyright © 2019 Arthroscopy Association of North America Terms and Conditions

Fig 10 (A) A second suture is passed antegrade through the central tunnel while holding the first suture taut. (B) The lateral suture is pulled back and forth through the central bone tunnel to ensure that the second suture needle did not transect or impale the first suture. (C) Then the suture is passed retrograde through the most medial tunnel. (D) The suture ends with the needles should be exiting laterally and medially with the free limbs exiting the central tunnel. (CT, central tunnel; D, distal; L, lateral; LT, lateral tunnel; M, medial; MT, medial tunnel; P, proximal.) Arthroscopy Techniques 2019 8, e705-e712DOI: (10.1016/j.eats.2019.03.005) Copyright © 2019 Arthroscopy Association of North America Terms and Conditions

Fig 11 The lateral suture is then woven proximally and distally within the lateral half of the tendon using a modified Krakow or other running locking stitch. The suture and needle should exit the dorsal surface of the tendon about 1 cm from the distal edge of the tendon, and secured with a fine clamp for tying down later. (D, distal; L, lateral; M, medial; P, proximal.) Arthroscopy Techniques 2019 8, e705-e712DOI: (10.1016/j.eats.2019.03.005) Copyright © 2019 Arthroscopy Association of North America Terms and Conditions

Fig 12 The free end of the lateral suture is passed from deep to superficial within the tendon. This post limb along with the limb that was run proximally and distally in the tendon should both be exiting the dorsal surface of the tendon (CT, central tunnel; D, distal; L, lateral; LT, lateral tunnel; M, medial; MT, medial tunnel; P, proximal.) Arthroscopy Techniques 2019 8, e705-e712DOI: (10.1016/j.eats.2019.03.005) Copyright © 2019 Arthroscopy Association of North America Terms and Conditions

Fig 13 (A) The medial suture is woven proximally and distally within the medial half of the tendon using a modified Krakow or other running locking stitch. The suture and needle should exit the dorsal surface of the tendon about 1 cm from the distal edge of the tendon. (B) The free end of the medial suture is passed from deep to superficial within the tendon. (C) All sutures exiting the dorsal surface of the tendon. (CT, central tunnel; D, distal; L, lateral; LT, lateral tunnel; M, medial; MT, medial tunnel; P, proximal.) Arthroscopy Techniques 2019 8, e705-e712DOI: (10.1016/j.eats.2019.03.005) Copyright © 2019 Arthroscopy Association of North America Terms and Conditions

Fig 14 Once all sutures have been passed, all sliding knots are tied with the first assistant maintaining enough elbow extension to allow tendon-to-bone contact. The free limbs of the sutures act as posts to allow the tendon to slide directly down to bone. (CT, central tunnel; D, distal; L, lateral; LT, lateral tunnel; M, medial; MT, medial tunnel; P, proximal; PL, post limb.) Arthroscopy Techniques 2019 8, e705-e712DOI: (10.1016/j.eats.2019.03.005) Copyright © 2019 Arthroscopy Association of North America Terms and Conditions

Fig 15 Multiple alternating half-hitches over the post limb allow the knot to slide and compress the tendon to its bony footprint. (D, distal; L, lateral; M, medial; P, proximal.) Arthroscopy Techniques 2019 8, e705-e712DOI: (10.1016/j.eats.2019.03.005) Copyright © 2019 Arthroscopy Association of North America Terms and Conditions

Fig 16 (A) The knots will end up on the dorsal surface of the triceps tendon about 1 cm proximal to the olecranon tip, where they will be covered by a thicker layer of fat. (B) The final repair with proximal knots. (D, distal; L, lateral; M, medial; P, proximal.) Arthroscopy Techniques 2019 8, e705-e712DOI: (10.1016/j.eats.2019.03.005) Copyright © 2019 Arthroscopy Association of North America Terms and Conditions

Fig 17 The longitudinal split between the heads of the triceps is repaired using nonabsorbable suture. (Arrow, split in triceps; D, distal; L, lateral; M, medial; P, proximal.) Arthroscopy Techniques 2019 8, e705-e712DOI: (10.1016/j.eats.2019.03.005) Copyright © 2019 Arthroscopy Association of North America Terms and Conditions

Fig 18 The paratenon is repaired over the construct using fine No. 2-0 absorbable suture (Vicryl, Ethicon). (D, distal; L, lateral; M, medial; P, proximal.) Arthroscopy Techniques 2019 8, e705-e712DOI: (10.1016/j.eats.2019.03.005) Copyright © 2019 Arthroscopy Association of North America Terms and Conditions

Fig 19 (A) The incision is closed in a layered manner with an interrupted subcuticular No. 2-0 absorbable suture (Vicryl, Ethicon) and (B) an alternating No. 3-0 running nylon suture (Ethilon, Ethicon). (D, distal; L, lateral; M, medial; P, proximal.) Arthroscopy Techniques 2019 8, e705-e712DOI: (10.1016/j.eats.2019.03.005) Copyright © 2019 Arthroscopy Association of North America Terms and Conditions