Triceps tendon injuries, which can be described as a spectrum of disease ranging from strain, tendinopathy, partial and complete tears, is a rare clinical phenomenon. Triceps tendon injuries tend to occur in men in their 40s and is the last common tendinopathy of the elbow. The three heads of the Triceps Brachii coalesce to form a common insertional tendon onto the olecranon process of the ulna and posterior capsule of the elbow joint capsule.

Typically, tendinopathy occurs as a result of an overuse or repetitive loading of the tendon. Partial ruptures can occur and complete rupture is considered the terminal event of tendinopathies, although acute ruptures are reported in case reports [1]. Approximately half of acute tears are from falls while the other half are seen in bodybuilders and professional weight lifters [2]. Triceps tendonitis is associated with olecranon bursitis and the two can be difficult to distinguish clinically. Risk factors include overhead and throwing athletes, chronic kidney disease, hyperparathyroidism, and anabolic steroid use.

History may reveal an insidious or acute onset with the patient describing an extension load on the elbow. Patients report pain with active elbow extension. On exam, they will be tender along the olecranon and with resisted elbow extension at 90० and 180०. This can be distinguished from posterior elbow impingement by reproducing pain with active triceps extension short of complete elbow extension. Evaluation often involves initial radiographs which may be normal or show a olecranon bone spur. Ultrasound and MRI can be used to evaluate injuries as well [3].