What type of orthopedic surgeon specializes in treating a triceps (muscle) tear?

Orthopedic Surgeon for Triceps Tear

An orthopedic surgeon specializing in upper extremity or sports medicine is the most appropriate specialist to treat a triceps tear. 1

Appropriate Specialists for Triceps Tears

• Upper Extremity/Shoulder and Elbow Specialist: These orthopedic surgeons focus specifically on conditions affecting the shoulder, arm, and elbow, making them ideally suited for triceps tendon repairs.

• Sports Medicine Orthopedic Surgeon: These specialists have extensive experience with athletic injuries, including triceps tears which are more common in athletes, particularly football players and weightlifters 2.

Understanding Triceps Tears

Triceps tears are relatively rare injuries that typically occur through:

• Falls on an outstretched hand
• Forceful eccentric contraction
• Direct trauma to the elbow
• Lifting against resistance 2

Risk factors that may predispose to triceps tears include:

• Local steroid injections
• Anabolic steroid abuse
• Renal insufficiency requiring dialysis
• Hyperparathyroidism
• Lupus erythematosus
• Marfan's syndrome 3

Diagnostic Approach

The orthopedic specialist will typically employ:

1. Physical examination: Including inspection for deformity, palpation, range of motion testing, and strength assessment 1

2. Imaging:

   • Ultrasound as first-line imaging (sensitivity 95%, specificity 71% for complete vs. partial tears)
   • MRI without contrast for definitive assessment when surgery is being considered
   • Plain radiographs to exclude fractures, particularly radial head fractures which are common concomitant injuries 1, 3

Treatment Considerations

The specialist will determine the appropriate treatment based on:

• Complete tears: Early surgical intervention provides better outcomes and is strongly recommended 1, 2

• Partial tears:

  • <50% thickness: Conservative management with rest, immobilization, and rehabilitation

  • 50% thickness: May require surgical treatment similar to complete tears 1, 4

• Delayed presentation: Reconstruction of the tendon rather than simple repair 5

Rehabilitation Process

Following treatment, the specialist will guide rehabilitation:

• Gradual progressive strengthening exercises
• Range of motion exercises (starting after 1-2 weeks)
• Supervised physical therapy 1

Important Considerations

• Seek treatment promptly, as delaying diagnosis and appropriate treatment may lead to suboptimal outcomes 1
• Rerupture is the most significant surgical complication (rate of approximately 4.62%) 4
• Complete tears that are not surgically repaired will result in permanent loss of elbow extension strength 6