Purpose: The aim of this study was to assess the midterm functional outcomes for arthroscopic subdeltoid transfer of the long head of the biceps tendon (LHBT) to the conjoint tendon.
Methods: Fifty-six shoulders in 54 patients (46 men, 8 women; mean age, 42 years) who underwent isolated arthroscopic subdeltoid LHBT transfer to the conjoint tendon by a single surgeon with a minimum of 4 years follow-up were evaluated with American Society of Shoulder and Elbow Surgeons (ASES) and L'Insalata scores. A subset of patients was available for physical examination.
Results: At an average of 6.4 years postoperatively, ASES and L'Insalata scores were 86 and 85, respectively, corresponding to 88% of patients rated good to excellent. Twelve shoulders (10 from men patients, 2 from women patients; mean age 41 years; average follow-up, 6.3 years) underwent physical examination. Mean University of California, Los Angeles (UCLA) score was 31, and there were no significant differences in side-to-side elbow flexion strength or endurance using a 10-pound weight. One patient had a Popeye sign. There were no major complications reported in this cohort.
Conclusions: Arthroscopic transfer of the LHBT to the conjoint tendon is a safe and durable intervention for chronic refractory biceps tendinitis. LEVEL OF
Evidence: Level IV, therapeutic case series.
Copyright © 2014 Arthroscopy Association of North America. Published by Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.