The Turtle Neck Sign: Identification of Severe Retracted Distal Biceps Tendon Rupture.

ABSTRACT:

Background

Chronic tendon retraction subsequent to distal biceps tendon rupture significantly increases repair difficulty and potential for tendon grafting. Biceps tendons that appear short or absent with magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) or that cannot be readily identified at surgery may erroneously be classified as irreparable. These apparent "absent" biceps tendons may actually be retracted and curled up inside the muscle, visually resembling the head-neck of a turtle retracted inside its shell (the "turtle neck sign"). When located, these tendons could be unfolded and repaired primarily. This type of tendon retraction seems to be associated with high-degree ruptures and larcertus fibrosus tears.

Purpose

To test the hypothesis that tendon retractions with a turtle neck si

SUBMITTER: Boonrod A 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC8777348 | biostudies-literature | 2022 Jan

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature