Distal biceps brachii tendinopathy
Meaning of distal biceps brachii tendinopathy: For the purposes of this Statement of Principles, distal biceps brachii tendinopathy: (a) means a clinically symptomatic inflammation or degeneration of the distal biceps brachii tendon; and (b) includes partial or complete tears of the distal biceps brachii tendon; and (c) excludes biciptitoradial bursitis not accompanied by distal biceps brachii tendinopathy.
Reasonable Hypothesis (RH) — Statement of Principles No. 3 of 2025
At least one of the following factors must as a minimum exist before it can be said that a reasonable hypothesis has been raised connecting distal biceps brachii tendinopathy or death from distal biceps brachii tendinopathy with the circumstances of a person's relevant service:
- (1)having sudden forceful extension of the elbow, during elbow flexion, on the affected side at the time of clinical onset;
Note: Examples of activities that can cause sudden forceful extension of the elbow, during elbow flexion, include catching a heavy load with a bent arm, a fall on an outstretched hand and contact sports.
- (2)performing forceful activities with the hand or forearm on the affected side, in combination with: (a) repetitive activities with the hand or forearm on the affected side; or (b) sustained activities with the hand or forearm on the affected side; for at least 1 hour per day, on more days than not, over a period of at least the 4 weeks before clinical onset;
- (3)abusing anabolic steroids at the time of clinical onset;
- (4)inability to obtain appropriate clinical management for distal biceps brachii tendinopathy before clinical worsening;
Aggravation-only factors: the factors in subsection 8(4) apply only to material contribution to, or aggravation of, the condition where it was suffered or contracted before or during (but did not arise out of) the person’s relevant service.
Balance of Probabilities (BoP) — Statement of Principles No. 4 of 2025
3 factors
At least one of the following factors must exist before it can be said that, on the balance of probabilities, distal biceps brachii tendinopathy or death from distal biceps brachii tendinopathy is connected with the circumstances of a person's relevant service:
- (1)having sudden forceful extension of the elbow, during elbow flexion, on the affected side at the time of clinical onset;
Note: Examples of activities that can cause sudden forceful extension of the elbow, during elbow flexion, include catching a heavy load with a bent arm, a fall on an outstretched hand and contact sports.
- (2)abusing anabolic steroids at the time of clinical onset;
- (3)inability to obtain appropriate clinical management for distal biceps brachii tendinopathy before clinical worsening;
Aggravation-only factors: the factors in subsection 8(3) apply only to material contribution to, or aggravation of, the condition where it was suffered or contracted before or during (but did not arise out of) the person’s relevant service.
