Intra-articular arthroscopic biceps tenodesis with interference screw: clinical and isokinetic evaluation

Abstract

Background Although biceps tenodesis has been widely used to treat its pathologies, few studies looked at the objective evaluation of elbow strength after this procedure. The purpose of this study is to clinically evaluate patients submitted to long head of the biceps (LHB) tenodesis with interference screws through an intra-articular approach and analyze the results of an isokinetic test to measure elbow flexion and forearm supination strengths. Methods Patients who had biceps tenodesis were included in the study if they had a minimum follow-up of 24 months. Patients were excluded if they had concomitant irreparable cuff tears or previous or current contralateral shoulder pain or weakness. Postoperative evaluation was based on University of California–Los Angeles (UCLA) shoulder score and on measurements of elbow flexion and supination strength, using an isokinetic dynamometer. Tests were conducted in both arms, with velocity set at 60º/s with 5 concentric-concentric repetitions. Results Thirty-three patients were included and the most common concomitant diagnosis were rotator cuff tear (69%) and superior labrum anterior to posterior (SLAP) lesions (28%). The average UCLA score improved from 15.1 preoperatively to 31.9 in the final follow-up ( P < .001). Isokinetic tests showed no difference in peak torque between the upper limbs. One patient had residual pain in the biceps groove. None of the patients had Popeye deformity. UCLA score and follow-up length did not demonstrate correlation with peak torque. Conclusion Arthroscopic proximal biceps tenodesis with interference screw, close to the articular margin, yielded good clinical results. Isokinetic tests revealed no difference to the contralateral side in peak torque for both supination and elbow flexion.

Arthroscopic biceps tenodesis using press-fit bony plug: a case series study

“…No cases required revision surgeries. Only one case (0.03%) reported mild sporadic pain in the bicipital groove [ 20 ]. Paul C. Brady et al reported similar satisfactory results of intra-articular tenodesis in a large study performed on 1083 cases with 136 weeks of follow-up [ 21 ].…”

Biceps tenodesis combined with rotator cuff repair increases functional status and elbow strength

“…In addition, we did not notice Popeye deformity in any patient. In a study by Schiefer et al, 32 arthroscopic proximal biceps tenodesis was performed using interference screws. Elbow flexion and supination strength tests were conducted in both arms, and no difference was found between the two sides.…”

Current Controversies and Decision-Making in the Management of Biceps Pathologies

“…Surgeon technique does factor into the use of interference screws because nonmetallic screws may strip cortical bone if tapping is not performed prior to insertion. Furthermore, on isokinetic supination and pronation strengthtesting, Schiefer et al found no difference in arms with fixation with interference screws versus those without 55 .…”