Snapping triceps syndrome: literature review, diagnosis, surgical technique, reasons for revision

Abstract

INTRODUCTION: Snapping triceps syndrome is a rare condition that may be misdiagnosed with ulnar nerve instability. It commonly affects young males who complain of painful snap on the medial side of the elbow. This snap appears when the elbow is being extended with resistance, such as during push-ups. Surgical treatment includes anterior transposition of the ulnar nerve and resection of the medial portion of triceps.

AIM: To analyze the results of surgical treatment performed on wide-awake patients using local anesthetic without tourniquet.

MATERIALS AND METHODS: Twenty-one patients were operated on 26 hands by a single surgeon between 2018 and 2023. Patients were assessed at least 6 months post-surgery via telephone calls, e-mails, and messaging apps.

RESULTS: Eleven patients were reached for follow-up. Amount of revision surgeries is 8 in this series with maximum number of 5 in one patient for both hands. Two patients are still having different issues in their elbows.

CONCLUSIONS: Snapping triceps syndrome is not easy to treat despite knowledge on this rare condition. The most common reason for revision surgery is persistent snapping even in those patients who were tested for active resisted extension during surgery. However, successful surgery may lead to full return to sport activities as none of our patients complained of loss of triceps power.

Keywords

snapping triceps syndrome / snapping triceps / elbow snapping

References

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