Delayed presentation of triceps tendon rupture after low-energy trauma: A case report

doi:10.5312/wjo.v17.i6.119404

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World Journal of Orthopedics

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2218-5836

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Baishideng Publishing Group Inc, 7041 Koll Center Parkway, Suite 160, Pleasanton, CA 94566, USA

Case Report

Copyright: ©Author(s) 2026. This article is an open access article distributed under the terms and conditions of the Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial (CC BY-NC 4.0) license. No commercial re-use. See permissions. Published by Baishideng Publishing Group Inc.

World J Orthop. Jun 18, 2026; 17(6): 119404
Published online Jun 18, 2026. doi: 10.5312/wjo.v17.i6.119404

Delayed presentation of triceps tendon rupture after low-energy trauma: A case report

Mohammad Nasser Almatrafi, Huda Murad Qronfla, Alaa Thabit Alsharif, Khaled Nasser Almatrafi, Khalil Awad Almalki

Mohammad Nasser Almatrafi, Department of Orthopedic Surgery, Alnoor Specialist Hospital, Mecca 24241, Makkah al Mukarramah, Saudi Arabia

Huda Murad Qronfla, Department of Orthopedic Surgery, Security Forces Hospital, Mecca 24251, Makkah al Mukarramah, Saudi Arabia

Alaa Thabit Alsharif, Khalil Awad Almalki, Department of Orthopedic Surgery, King Abdullah Medical City, Mecca 24246, Makkah al Mukarramah, Saudi Arabia

Khaled Nasser Almatrafi, Faculty of Medicine, Umm Al-Qura University, Mecca 21955, Makkah al Mukarramah, Saudi Arabia

Author contributions: Almatrafi MN contributed to data collection and analysis, consents taking, following the case; Qronfla HM contributed to writing discussion and conclusion, contacting journal for publication; Alsharif AT contributed to writing the case presentation; Almatrafi KN contributed to writing introduction and background; Almalki KA contributed to supervising; Almatrafi MN, Qronfla HM, Alsharif AT, Almatrafi KN, and Almalki KA contributed to literature review; Almatrafi MN, Qronfla HM, and Almalki KA contributed to reviewing; Qronfla HM and Almatrafi KN contributed to manuscript formatting.

Informed consent statement: Written informed consent was obtained from the patient for publication of this report and any accompanying images.

Conflict-of-interest statement: All authors declare that they have no conflict of interest to disclose.

CARE Checklist (2016) statement: The authors have read the CARE Checklist (2016), and the manuscript was prepared and revised according to the CARE Checklist (2016).

Corresponding author: Huda Murad Qronfla, MD, MBBS, Department of Orthopedic Surgery, Security Forces Hospital, Makkah, Mecca 24251, Makkah al Mukarramah, Saudi Arabia. huda.m.qronfla@gmail.com

Received: January 27, 2026
Revised: April 1, 2026
Accepted: April 21, 2026
Published online: June 18, 2026
Processing time: 141 Days and 23.2 Hours

Abstract

BACKGROUND

Triceps tendon rupture is an uncommon injury and is most often linked to high-energy trauma or sports-related activities. However, injuries resulting from low-energy mechanisms may be overlooked, leading to delayed diagnosis. This case report was written to highlight an atypical mechanism of injury and to emphasize the need for clinical awareness of triceps tendon rupture even after minor trauma.

CASE SUMMARY

A 37-year-old medically free male patient presented with posterior elbow pain and reduced extension strength following a low-speed motorcycle accident. The patient initially received conservative management at another medical center and was subsequently referred to our institution, resulting in a seven-month delay before definitive evaluation. Clinical examination suggested a distal triceps injury. Imaging studies confirmed a high-grade partial rupture of the distal triceps tendon. The patient underwent surgical repair using a suture anchor with a Krackow technique and a structured postoperative rehabilitation program was implemented. Follow-up demonstrated good functional recovery, improvement in elbow extension strength, and resolution of pain without postoperative complications.

CONCLUSION

Triceps tendon rupture can occur after low-energy trauma, and timely diagnosis with appropriate surgical management can result in satisfactory functional outcomes.

Keywords: Triceps tendon rupture; Krakow technique; Anchor suture; Low-energy trauma; Case report

Core Tip: Triceps tendon rupture is uncommon elbow injury that is usually associated with high-energy trauma. We report the case of a 37-year-old man who sustained a near-complete distal triceps tendon rupture following a low-speed motorcycle accident. Diagnosis was established through clinical assessment and magnetic resonance imaging. The patient underwent surgical repair using a Krackow suture technique with suture anchor fixation, followed by a structured rehabilitation program. At six months, he achieved full pain-free range of motion and complete recovery of elbow extension strength. This case emphasizes the need to consider triceps tendon rupture even after low-mechanism injuries.