Arthroscopic Soft Tissue Tenodesis Versus Bony Fixation Anchor Tenodesis of the Long Head of the Biceps Tendon

Abstract

When arthroscopic tenodesis of the LHB is indicated, the authors recommend a bony fixation over soft tissue fixation because anchor fixation provides significant advantages concerning the clinical and structural outcome.

The Modified Norwegian Method of Biceps Tenodesis

“…First, it allows us to perform an osseous fixation biceps tenodesis, which has been shown to be superior to soft-tissue tenodesis, while still performing the operation entirely arthroscopically. 4 Second, in the MNM the surgeon performs tenodesis of the biceps in an anatomic position without having to worry about proper tensioning or resting length as would have to be taken into account with other open or arthroscopic techniques. With other arthroscopic suprapectoral methods, the surgeon has to bring the long head of the biceps tendon out of the shoulder and through the anterior portal to place sutures, calculate the proper lengthtension relation, and then navigate the tendon back into the shoulder, which can be a struggle.…”

Outcomes following long head of biceps tendon tenodesis

“…Soft-tissue tenodesis techniques also have been described but have been associated with a higher rate of failure as compared with suture anchor and interference screw techniques. Scheibel et al compared 30 patients who had arthroscopic soft-tissue LHB tenodesis and 27 patients who had bony fixation suture anchor tenodesis [84]. They reported a better long head of the biceps score, examiner-dependent evaluation of the cosmetic result, and structural integrity of the tenodesis construct in the bony fixation anchor tenodesis group as compared with the soft-tissue tenodesis group.…”

Simultaneous Rotator Cuff Repair and Arthroscopic Biceps Tenodesis Using Lateral Row Anchor

“…The strength of suture anchor fixation for biceps tenodesis has been shown in mechanical studies to be equivalent to interference screw fixation 7 and has become a commonly used method of fixation for biceps tenodesis with better clinical results than soft-tissue tenodesis techniques. 11 Although numerous reports have described techniques, mechanical testing, and surgical outcomes of isolated biceps tenodesis, there are few described methods of simultaneous biceps tenodesis and rotator cuff repair. [12][13][14] Koh et al 13 described a technique that uses a separate suture anchor dedicated for the biceps tendon.…”