Partial rupture of the distal biceps tendon.

Rupture of the distal biceps tendon is a relatively uncommon injury. Roentgenograms often demonstrate osseous changes at the radial tuberosity consistent with the degenerative tendon changes seen at the time of surgical repair. Partial rupture of the distal biceps tendon exhibits features similar to that of complete disruption, including acute antecubital pain, weakness of elbow flexion, and forearm supination, and differs only in that the biceps tendon is still palpable in teh partial rupture. The clinical presentation, surgical confirmation, and treatment of this condition seems not to have been reported previously in the literature.