Elbow & Forearm MCQs

A surgeon is performing a distal biceps tendon repair. After retrieving the tendon, they note its unique twisted morphology. Which statement accurately describes the anatomical insertion of the biceps tendon fibers onto the radial tuberosity?

A 32-year-old male undergoes a single-incision anterior repair of a distal biceps tendon rupture. Postoperatively, he notes numbness over the radial aspect of his volar forearm. Injury to which of the following structures is the most likely cause?

A 28-year-old weightlifter presents with acute elbow pain and a positive 'hook test.' During surgical repair utilizing a modified two-incision technique, the surgeon must carefully avoid subperiosteal dissection of the ulna to minimize the risk of which complication?

During a single-incision anterior approach for a distal biceps tendon repair, the surgeon must be careful to protect a sensory nerve that exits the deep fascia just lateral to the biceps tendon. Injury to this nerve leads to numbness in what distribution?

Which of the following complications is historically more common with a two-incision approach for distal biceps repair compared to a single-incision anterior approach?

When restoring the anatomical footprint during a distal biceps tendon repair, the tendon should be reattached to which specific aspect of the radial tuberosity to maximize supination strength?

A 45-year-old weightlifter feels a sharp pop in his elbow. On physical exam, the physician is unable to hook their index finger under the lateral edge of the biceps tendon when the patient's elbow is actively flexed to 90 degrees and supinated. This clinical test evaluates the integrity of what structure?

A patient is evaluated for an acute complete distal biceps rupture. If the surgeon decides to proceed with an anatomic repair, failure to fully release which of the following structures may limit mobilization of the retracted tendon?

A 50-year-old male presents with a chronic distal biceps rupture that occurred 3 months ago. Intraoperatively, the tendon is found to be severely retracted and cannot be mobilized to the radial tuberosity even with the elbow flexed. Which of the following is the most appropriate reconstruction option?

During a two-incision approach for a distal biceps tendon repair, the forearm should be placed in which position while the surgeon spreads through the extensor muscle mass to expose the radial tuberosity, in order to protect the posterior interosseous nerve (PIN)?

A 45-year-old bodybuilder feels a sudden pop in his antecubital fossa while performing heavy curls. He presents with ecchymosis and a palpable defect. The physician asks the patient to actively supinate the forearm and flex the elbow to 90 degrees, then hooks an index finger under a cord-like structure from the lateral side. The structure is absent. Which of the following tendons is most likely ruptured?

A 38-year-old male undergoes a single-incision anterior repair of a distal biceps tendon rupture. Postoperatively, he complains of numbness and tingling over the radial aspect of his volar forearm. Which of the following nerves was most likely injured or compressed during the surgical approach?

During a distal biceps tendon repair, the surgeon must decide where to reattach the tendon on the radial tuberosity to optimize postoperative functional mechanics. Reattachment to which aspect of the tuberosity best restores maximum supination strength?

During a clinical evaluation for a suspected distal biceps tendon rupture, the examiner notes considerable bruising but palpates a tendon-like structure in the antecubital fossa that remains taut with passive forearm rotation. However, MRI confirms a complete tear of the distal biceps tendon from the radial tuberosity. Which of the following structures is preventing profound proximal retraction of the muscle belly?

A 45-year-old male undergoes a single-incision anterior repair of a distal biceps tendon rupture. In the recovery room, he is unable to actively extend his thumb and metacarpophalangeal joints, but has intact sensation in his hand and forearm. Which of the following anatomic structures was most likely compressed by a retractor placed on the lateral side of the radial neck?

A surgeon plans to use a classic two-incision modified Boyd-Anderson approach for the repair of a chronic distal biceps tendon tear. Compared to the single-incision anterior approach, the two-incision technique carries a uniquely increased risk of which of the following complications?

A 35-year-old male presents with a persistent left radial nerve palsy 18 months after a humeral shaft fracture. To optimally restore wrist extension without causing excessive radial deviation, which of the following tendon transfers is most commonly performed?

A 55-year-old accountant presents with lateral elbow pain that started insidiously. He denies any acute trauma but notes pain with typing and lifting objects, especially with his palm down. Which of the following findings on examination would be MOST specific for lateral epicondylitis rather than a radial tunnel syndrome?

Which histological finding is most consistently associated with chronic lateral epicondylitis specimens obtained surgically?

Which of the following imaging modalities is considered most useful in confirming the diagnosis of lateral epicondylitis and assessing its severity in cases where the clinical diagnosis is equivocal or non-operative treatment has failed?