POST-OPERATIVE REHABILITATION IN TRAUMATIC DISTAL BICEPS TENDON RUPTURE WITH ULNAR ARTERY INJURY AND ULNAR NERVE NEUROPATHY MANAGED WITH SURGICAL RECONSTRUCTION

Palak P. Darda, Anjali S. Bais, Simran A. Mishra, Chaitanya A. Kulkarni, Waqar M. Naqvi

Community Health Physiotherapy, Ravi Nair Physiotherapy College, Wardha, Maharashtra, India.

ABSTRACT

The Biceps Brachia is an anterior arm muscle consisting of two heads that bridge the shoulder girdle to the forearm. The distal biceps tendon from both heads may converge or remain anatomically separate before attachment to the radial tuberosity. The incidence of distal biceps rupture is 1.2/100,000 per year and is mostly seen in middle-aged men. The rupture of the biceps tendon is a relatively less common lesion making this case unique. Physiotherapy rehabilitation post-surgery is found to be effective; it includes management of pain, increase range of motion exercises, strengthening exercises, muscle energy technique, cardiovascular fitness, all these together helps to improve patient outcomes. A case of the 40-year-old female is presented in this case report who underwent traumatic glass-cut injury in proximal forearm resulting in distal bicep-tendon repair with ulnar artery injury and ulnar nerve neuropathy. After surgical reconstruction patient presented with pain in the shoulder, elbow, and wrist, reduced range of motion, strength, and grip strength leading to difficulty in performing activities of daily living. Surgical history, clinical findings, outcomes, and rehabilitation are mentioned in this report. We report that there is a significant improvement in stability, range of motion, muscle strength, relief from pain, and improvement in the patient's functional level and outcomes.

Keywords:

Rehabilitation, Post-operative, biceps tendon, ulnar artery, ulnar nerve neuropathy