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What Does My MRI Scan Report Indicate?
Question: I am considering getting surgery to reattach the proximal longus triceps brachii to the scapula of my left arm, and I had a few questions.
I tore my tendon from the bone on 7/7. The MRI showed a 3 cm separation.
1. How will they re-attach the tendon to the bone?
2. What will they have to damage to get to the attachment point, and would there be permanent damage to existing muscles or tendons?
3. I was told there is a 6-8 week window for surgery. What changes during and after these 6-8 weeks that makes surgery less viable?
4. What do you think the percentage risk is that there will be damage to my radial or median nerve? What kind of things could damage cause?
5. How long would the recovery be for such a surgery?
I tore my tendon from the bone on 7/7. The MRI showed a 3 cm separation.
1. How will they re-attach the tendon to the bone?
2. What will they have to damage to get to the attachment point, and would there be permanent damage to existing muscles or tendons?
3. I was told there is a 6-8 week window for surgery. What changes during and after these 6-8 weeks that makes surgery less viable?
4. What do you think the percentage risk is that there will be damage to my radial or median nerve? What kind of things could damage cause?
5. How long would the recovery be for such a surgery?
Brief Answer:
Answers to your questions
Detailed Answer:
Hi there
Thanks for the query
Answers to your questions
1) Tendon can be reattached to the bone with sutures, suture anchors or screws if there is an attached bone block.
2) Usually the base of the insertion point needs to be prepared in the scapular attachment of the tendon. Usually no deliberate damage is done to any structure.
3) The tendon swelling and inflammation comes down in the time period of 6-8 weeks sorting which if surgery is done it could fail due to the inflammation. Surgery done after this period reduces the chances of arthrofibrosis and failure.
4) I cannot comment on the chances of nerve injury because you haven't told me what kind of surgery is being done - open or arthroscopic, any other associated injuries, mode of trauma, present neurological status of your limb. Nerve injury could be anywhere between 10-30%.
Injury to the nerves can cause weakness of the elbow movements and wrist drop and weakness or loss of finger flexion.
5) Recovery will depend on the type of surgery and procedure performed. It could take a few months for return of function with physiotherapy.
I hope I have answered your query.
I will be available to answer your follow up queries.
Regards,
Dr.Aashish Raghu
Answers to your questions
Detailed Answer:
Hi there
Thanks for the query
Answers to your questions
1) Tendon can be reattached to the bone with sutures, suture anchors or screws if there is an attached bone block.
2) Usually the base of the insertion point needs to be prepared in the scapular attachment of the tendon. Usually no deliberate damage is done to any structure.
3) The tendon swelling and inflammation comes down in the time period of 6-8 weeks sorting which if surgery is done it could fail due to the inflammation. Surgery done after this period reduces the chances of arthrofibrosis and failure.
4) I cannot comment on the chances of nerve injury because you haven't told me what kind of surgery is being done - open or arthroscopic, any other associated injuries, mode of trauma, present neurological status of your limb. Nerve injury could be anywhere between 10-30%.
Injury to the nerves can cause weakness of the elbow movements and wrist drop and weakness or loss of finger flexion.
5) Recovery will depend on the type of surgery and procedure performed. It could take a few months for return of function with physiotherapy.
I hope I have answered your query.
I will be available to answer your follow up queries.
Regards,
Dr.Aashish Raghu
Above answer was peer-reviewed by :
Dr. Prasad
My proximal longus triceps tendon ripped off the scapula when I grabbed a banister to stop myself from falling down the stairs after I slipped. There weren't any additional injuries. Just my long head triceps tendon tore off the scapula.
Surgery would be to reattach the triceps tendon to the scapula. I don't know if there is a name for such surgery, because it seems like it's never been done before in the US.
The deltoid, infraspinatus, and teres minor all block access to the attachment point on the scapula. I was told they may need to be partially cut to access the area during surgery.
I was told that surgery should be done within 6-8 weeks. What happens after 6-8 weeks that makes it harder to reattach the tendon to the bone?
I was told that the surgery would be open, and not arthroscopic.
Surgery would be to reattach the triceps tendon to the scapula. I don't know if there is a name for such surgery, because it seems like it's never been done before in the US.
The deltoid, infraspinatus, and teres minor all block access to the attachment point on the scapula. I was told they may need to be partially cut to access the area during surgery.
I was told that surgery should be done within 6-8 weeks. What happens after 6-8 weeks that makes it harder to reattach the tendon to the bone?
I was told that the surgery would be open, and not arthroscopic.
Brief Answer:
10% chance of nerve injury
Detailed Answer:
Thanks for the information.
In open procedure it could be around 10% chance of nerve injury.
10% chance of nerve injury
Detailed Answer:
Thanks for the information.
In open procedure it could be around 10% chance of nerve injury.
Note: For further queries, consult a joint and bone specialist, an Orthopaedic surgeon. Book a Call now.
Above answer was peer-reviewed by :
Dr. Yogesh D
Answered by
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