Early operative repair is the currently accepted treatment of distal biceps rupture. However, we describe 6 patients (with 7 ruptures), 5 of whom are in the armed forces with distal biceps tendon ruptures who, as a result of delays in presentation, were treated non-operatively. The subsequent clinical success of these patients (with three excellent, three good and one poor result), has led us to question whether the role of non-operative treatment has been underestimated within the orthopaedic, military and sports medicine literature. The more rapid rehabilitation of conservatively treated ruptures may well have implications for treatment of armed forces personnel.

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INTRODUCTION As a result of a single spinal injury seen at Frimley Park Hospital, we reviewed the injuries recorded at the Army School of Physical Training since December 1996. PATIENTS AND METHODS This was a retrospective review of all acute accidents and injuries recorded in the Accident Book since its inception. RESULTS Over 75% of the injuries that were serious enough to result in soldiers having their training terminated were as a direct result of gymnastic events such as vaulting, trampolining and somersaults. These events were also responsible for most of the small number of career-threatening injuries. CONCLUSIONS This raises questions about the inclusion of gymnastic events in course training programmes, especially when considering its relevance to army training in general.