Diagnostic Musculoskeletal Ultrasound in the Evaluation of the Triceps Tendon

The triceps tendon is responsible for extension of the elbow during upper extremity functional activities that require the motion of pushing. Accurate diagnosis of tendon partial tears or ruptures is essential for appropriate treatment planning and optimizing patient outcomes. Diagnostic musculosk...

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Main Authors: Robert C. Manske, Chris Wolfe, Phil Page, Michael Voight
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: North American Sports Medicine Institute 2025-06-01
Series:International Journal of Sports Physical Therapy
Online Access:https://doi.org/10.26603/001c.138464
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author Robert C. Manske
Chris Wolfe
Phil Page
Michael Voight
author_facet Robert C. Manske
Chris Wolfe
Phil Page
Michael Voight
author_sort Robert C. Manske
collection DOAJ
description The triceps tendon is responsible for extension of the elbow during upper extremity functional activities that require the motion of pushing. Accurate diagnosis of tendon partial tears or ruptures is essential for appropriate treatment planning and optimizing patient outcomes. Diagnostic musculoskeletal (MSK) ultrasound offers a portable, real-time, and cost-effective alternative that is gaining traction in rehabilitation and sports medicine settings. MSK ultrasound has emerged as a valuable, non-invasive imaging modality for evaluating triceps tendon injuries including partial and complete tears, tendinopathy, and calcifications of the triceps insertion onto the olecranon, and even avulsions from the olecranon. MSK ultrasound is adept at detecting changes in tendon tissue composition and integrity, including both tendinopathies and partial thickness tears. Furthermore, this manuscript will review the utility of MSK ultrasound in evaluating the triceps injury, including its anatomy, common injury patterns, sonographic techniques, and clinical implications for professional rehabilitation. Diagnosis of acute injury by physical examination is often challenging and is frequently misdiagnosed. By integrating MSK ultrasound into clinical practice, providers can improve the accuracy of diagnosis, enhance diagnostic confidence, monitor healing progression, and guide rehabilitation strategies to optimal patient outcomes.
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spelling doaj-art-654011c76e0d4aa19bea8d408c35175d2025-08-20T02:37:16ZengNorth American Sports Medicine InstituteInternational Journal of Sports Physical Therapy2159-28962025-06-0120610.26603/001c.138464Diagnostic Musculoskeletal Ultrasound in the Evaluation of the Triceps TendonRobert C. ManskeChris WolfePhil PageMichael VoightThe triceps tendon is responsible for extension of the elbow during upper extremity functional activities that require the motion of pushing. Accurate diagnosis of tendon partial tears or ruptures is essential for appropriate treatment planning and optimizing patient outcomes. Diagnostic musculoskeletal (MSK) ultrasound offers a portable, real-time, and cost-effective alternative that is gaining traction in rehabilitation and sports medicine settings. MSK ultrasound has emerged as a valuable, non-invasive imaging modality for evaluating triceps tendon injuries including partial and complete tears, tendinopathy, and calcifications of the triceps insertion onto the olecranon, and even avulsions from the olecranon. MSK ultrasound is adept at detecting changes in tendon tissue composition and integrity, including both tendinopathies and partial thickness tears. Furthermore, this manuscript will review the utility of MSK ultrasound in evaluating the triceps injury, including its anatomy, common injury patterns, sonographic techniques, and clinical implications for professional rehabilitation. Diagnosis of acute injury by physical examination is often challenging and is frequently misdiagnosed. By integrating MSK ultrasound into clinical practice, providers can improve the accuracy of diagnosis, enhance diagnostic confidence, monitor healing progression, and guide rehabilitation strategies to optimal patient outcomes.https://doi.org/10.26603/001c.138464
spellingShingle Robert C. Manske
Chris Wolfe
Phil Page
Michael Voight
Diagnostic Musculoskeletal Ultrasound in the Evaluation of the Triceps Tendon
International Journal of Sports Physical Therapy
title Diagnostic Musculoskeletal Ultrasound in the Evaluation of the Triceps Tendon
title_full Diagnostic Musculoskeletal Ultrasound in the Evaluation of the Triceps Tendon
title_fullStr Diagnostic Musculoskeletal Ultrasound in the Evaluation of the Triceps Tendon
title_full_unstemmed Diagnostic Musculoskeletal Ultrasound in the Evaluation of the Triceps Tendon
title_short Diagnostic Musculoskeletal Ultrasound in the Evaluation of the Triceps Tendon
title_sort diagnostic musculoskeletal ultrasound in the evaluation of the triceps tendon
url https://doi.org/10.26603/001c.138464
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