OBJECTIVE: To evaluate results obtained with arthroscopic tenodesis of the long head of the biceps (LHB) using a bioabsorbable interference screw Arthrex® biotenodesis. METHODS: Between March 2004 and April 2005, 16 shoulders of 16 patients were submitted to LHB tenodesis using this technique. Minimum follow-up was 12 months, with a mean of 19.5 months. Age ranged from 32 to 69 years, mean of 56.1 years. Male patients prevailed, with 75% of the cases. The dominant limb was involved in 62.5% of the patients. Partial lesion of the LHB was found in 75% of the patients, and instability in 25%. Association to rotator cuff lesion (RCL) was found in 93.75% of the cases. Clinical evaluation was based on the University of California at Los Angeles (UCLA) criteria. RESULTS: The authors observed excellent results in all cases. No case displayed signs of biceps muscle retraction (Popeye sign) that characterized the loosening of the tenodesis. CONCLUSION: Arthroscopic LHB tenodesis using a bioabsorbable interference screw Arthrex® biotenodesis showed to be an efficient technique for the treatment of LHB alterations.
Shoulder joint; Arthroscopy; Bone screws; Tendons; Suture techniques; Tendinopathy; Absorbable implants
