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NCT Number: NCT06483256

Evaluation of Clinical and Radiographic Findings in Patients Treated Surgically for Biceps Long Head Injury

This is an interventional, single-center study with clinical and radiographic evaluation, at follow-up of at least 2 years, of patients treated surgically with arthroscopy-assisted distal biceps tendon repair at the Rizzoli Orthopaedic Institute. The study consists of 2 phases (Identification of includable patients, Follow-up visit:

* identification by trained medical staff of subjects who meet the study inclusion criteria * Patients, after signing informed consent, will be evaluated clinically and radiographically by radiography in lateral and anteroposterior projection at the follow-up visit by specialized medical personnel. A clinical examination will be performed, with subjective and objective evaluation questionnaires administered, and a strength assessment of the operated limb and contralateral limb will be performed using specific dynamometers on the same date as the radiography is performed at the Rizzoli Orthopedic Institute. The radiographic study with standard projections (AP and LL) is used to evaluate any signs of anchor loosening and/or presence of heterotopic ossifications (which can limit movement and represent one of the main complications).

Study-specific radiographs will be performed on the same day as the outpatient clinical evaluation in consultation with the Radiology Service Manager.

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Key information

Conditions

Bicep Tendon Rupture

Age range

18 year and older

Sex eligibility

All sexes

Study type

Interventional

Phase

Not applicable

Primary location

About this study

This is an interventional, single-center study with clinical and radiographic evaluation, at follow-up of at least 2 years, of patients treated surgically with arthroscopy-assisted distal biceps tendon repair at the Rizzoli Orthopaedic Institute. The study consists of 2 phases (Identification of includable patients, Follow-up visit:

identification by trained medical staff of subjects who meet the study inclusion criteria Patients, after signing informed consent, will be evaluated clinically and radiographically by radiography in lateral and anteroposterior projection at the follow-up visit by specialized medical personnel. A clinical examination will be performed, with subjective and objective evaluation questionnaires administered, and a strength assessment of the operated limb and contralateral limb will be performed using specific dynamometers on the same date as the radiography is performed at the Rizzoli Orthopedic Institute. The radiographic study with standard projections (AP and LL) is used to evaluate any signs of anchor loosening and/or presence of heterotopic ossifications (which can limit movement and represent one of the main complications).

Study-specific radiographs will be performed on the same day as the outpatient clinical evaluation in consultation with the Radiology Service Manager.

Who can participate

Healthy volunteers accepted: No

Only the study team can determine whether someone qualifies for participation.

Inclusion criteria

  • Age ≥ 18 at the time of distal biceps tendon repair surgery
  • Surgery performed within 30 days of injury
  • Patients treated surgically for distal biceps tendon injury by arthroscopy-assisted technique at the Shoulder-Elbow Department of the Rizzoli Orthopedic Institute from January 01, 2017 to December 31, 2022.

Exclusion criteria

  • < 18 years old at the time of surgery
  • Patients who have presented non-surgery-related problems to the operated limb in the years following surgery such as fractures or subsequent episodes of tendon injury.
  • Patients treated for distal biceps tendon injury by different surgical techniques

Treatment and study plan

radiographic control

Diagnostic Test

Radiographic study with standard projections (AP and LL) is used to assess any signs of anchor loosening and/or presence of heterotopic ossifications (which can restrict movement and is one of the main complications).

Primary outcomes

  1. Mayo elbow performance score

    Time frame: baseline (post surgery)

    It is currently considered the gold standard for objective measurement of elbow performance because of the immediacy of the results and its practicality of use. It assesses the presence of pain with a score from 0 to 45, Range of Motion with a score from 0 to 20, elbow stability with a score from 0 to 10, and the ability to perform 5 daily activities (combing, eating, personal hygiene, dressing, and putting on shoes) to each of which 5 points are assigned. It gives a result from 0 to 100 where results above 90 are defined as excellent, results between 75 and 89 are defined as good, between 60 and 74 are defined as sufficient and below 59 as poor.

Secondary outcomes

  1. Disabilities of arm, shoulder and hand score

    Time frame: baseline (post surgery)

    is the most widely used score in the literature for objective assessment of upper limb function. Unlike MEPS, it is not a specific score for elbow pathology, but is widely used in the study of musculoskeletal disorders of other joints such as shoulder, wrist or in hand performance. The score is calculated by administering 30 items to the patient thus obtaining a score ranging from 0 (no disability) to 100 (maximum disability).

  2. force evaluations with dynamometers

    Time frame: baseline (post surgery)

    Force assessments will be made with dynamometers for forearm supination and elbow flexion by going to compare the strength of the operated limb with that of the contralateral limb in order to obtain a ratio that allows comparison between patients

  3. complications and reinterventions

    Time frame: baseline (post surgery)

    Questions will also be asked about possible complications and re-interventions, re-ruptures as well as return to pre-injury, pre-surgery daily activities, level of function achieved after the surgical procedure and maintenance of the same over time.

  4. patient satisfaction

    Time frame: baseline (post surgery)

    A survey will be used to assest the patient satisfaction with their post-surgery recovery status. The patient will choose from 5 options to assest his general response to the surgery to see if it's better, worst or if nothing changed.

  5. radiography

    Time frame: baseline (post surgery)

    Radiography (X-ray) to document signs of indirect anchor mobilization and formation of heterotopic ossifications.

Study contacts

Contact information is provided by the study sponsor or research team.

Enrico Guerra, MD

CONTACT

[email protected]

0516366 ext. 39

Sponsors and collaborators

Lead sponsor

Istituto Ortopedico Rizzoli

Other

Registry information

Acronym: Artro-Bic

Important dates

Study start
2024
Primary completion
2026
Study completion
2026
First posted
Jul 3, 2024
Registry last updated
May 22, 2026

OpenTrials presents study information sourced from ClinicalTrials.gov. The official registry record should be consulted for the latest information.

View the official ClinicalTrials.gov record (opens in a new tab)

This listing is for discovery and informational purposes only. It is not medical advice, does not guarantee that a study is recruiting, and does not determine eligibility. Contact the study team and a qualified healthcare professional when considering participation.

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