The long head of the biceps tendon: a valuable tool in shoulder surgery

BicepBrace biceps tendon augmentation improves outcomes one year following surgery

PURPOSE

This study emphasizes the clinical utility of our newly published "BicepBrace" technique by comparing its preliminary outcomes with standard treatment within the short term follow-up of 12 months following massive rotator cuff repair surgery.

METHODS

A retrospective chart review of all the rotator cuff repairs by E.H.A. over a two year span was completed under institutional review board approval. Inclusion criteria included all adult patients who received primary massive rotator cuff repair within the time frame of June 15, 2021 and June 15, 2023. Exclusion criteria included non-massive rotator cuff repair, revision surgery, or rotator cuff repairs that were paired with total shoulder arthroplasty. These massive rotator cuff repairs were then evaluated for clinical failure necessitating revision surgery within 12 months of original repair. Statistical analyses were performed using t tests and chi square tests.

RESULTS

In total, 102 rotator cuff repairs were identified within the study timeframe. In total, 24 of these cases met criteria to be labeled as massive tears. In total, 13 of these massive tears were treated by standard technique and 11 of them were treated with our BicepBrace biceps tendon transfer technique. In total, 4 of the patients in the standard technique group were deemed clinical failures necessitating revision surgery (failure rate of 30.8%). Only one of the BicepBrace patients were deemed clinical failures (failure rate of 9.1%).

CONCLUSION

In the setting of a massive rotator cuff tear, the BicepBrace technique-utilizing the long head of the biceps tendon for superior cuff augmentation-may enhance the survivability of the repair within one year of surgery. This relatively new approach offers a promising alternative to standard techniques, particularly for certain patient populations.

Reduced retear rates yet similar clinical outcomes following arthroscopic partial repair of large and massive irreparable rotator cuff tears with biceps augmentation compared to repairs without biceps augmentation: A systematic review and meta-analysis

PURPOSE

To compare the clinical outcomes between arthroscopic partial rotator cuff repair with biceps augmentation (BA) and partial repair (PR) without BA.

METHODS

This systematic review included studies comparing outcomes of arthroscopic repair for large to massive irreparable rotator cuff tears with and without the BA. The focus was on postoperative clinical results and retear rates. Mean differences were used to express continuous outcomes, while odds ratios (ORs) were employed for dichotomous outcomes.

RESULTS

Ten studies (733 shoulders, all level 3 evidence) were included. The BA group showed a significant reduction in retear rates (OR = 0.40, 95% confidence interval [CI]: 0.20-0.77, P = 0.007) and comparable postoperative outcomes across various measures: American Shoulder and Elbow Surgeons (ASES) score, visual analogue scale for pain, University of California-Los Angeles shoulder score, active forward flexion motion and active external rotation at the arm-at-side position compared to the PR group. Subgroup analysis of two BA techniques-rerouting and supplementation following supraglenoid tenotomy-showed no significant differences in ASES score for either technique versus PR. However, rerouting significantly lowered retear rates (OR = 0.21, 95% CI: 0.12-0.36, p < 0.001), while supplementation showed similar retear rates to PR (OR = 0.87, 95% CI: 0.37-2.02, n.s.).

CONCLUSION

Arthroscopic partial rotator cuff repair with BA for large to massive irreparable rotator cuff tears is a reliable technique, resulting in improved postoperative outcomes. BA using supplementation following supraglenoid tenotomy showed similar clinical outcomes and range of motion but with lower retear rates compared to the PR group.

LEVEL OF EVIDENCE

Level III.

Superior capsular reconstruction using the long head of biceps tendon: a biomechanical assessment of tenodesis location and angle of fixation

BACKGROUND

Massive irreparable rotator cuff tears (MIRCTs) treated with superior capsular reconstruction (SCR) using the long head of the biceps tendon have shown satisfactory early results. Different techniques and positions for biceps tenodesis have been described. This study aimed to evaluate the effect of tenodesis location and glenohumeral fixation angle for graft tensioning on the biomechanics of an SCR using a single-strand biceps technique.

METHODS

Eight cadaveric shoulders were mounted onto a custom biomechanical simulator that used static tone loads to the deltoid and rotator cuff muscles. All cadavers were first tested in the intact condition, and then in the simulated MIRCT condition by sectioning the tendinous insertions of the supraspinatus and upper border of the infraspinatus. SCR using the long head of the biceps tendon was then evaluated. Three biceps tenodesis locations relative to the greater tuberosity (anterior, middle, and posterior) and 2 glenohumeral fixation angles (0° and 30°) for graft tensioning were tested. An optical tracking system was used to quantify superior-inferior and anterior-posterior humeral head translation relative to the glenoid, whereas the functional abduction force was quantified using a load sensor. All tests were conducted at 0°, 30°, and 60° of glenohumeral abduction in a randomized fashion.

RESULTS

When assessing isolated superior humeral head migration, all biceps tenodesis locations were effective at decreasing superior migration, with no tenodesis location significantly better than the other (P = .213). However, biceps grafts tensioned at 30° of glenohumeral abduction were significantly better at reducing proximal humeral migration as compared to graft tensioning at 0° abduction (P = .008). Posterior humeral head translation observed in the MIRCT condition was significantly reduced when tensioning the biceps tendon at 30° of glenohumeral abduction compared with 0° for all tenodesis locations (P ≤ .043). The tenodesis location also significantly influenced posterior humeral head translation (P = .001), with the middle and posterior positions restoring near normal humeral head position when fixed at 30° glenohumeral abduction. All SCR techniques using the biceps tendon improved the functional abduction force relative to the MIRCT condition, although no statistically significant differences were observed relative to the intact condition (P ≥ .448).

DISCUSSION

SCR using the long head of the biceps tendon is biomechanically effective in reducing posterosuperior translation of the humeral head in the setting of an MIRCT. Graft tensioning and fixation at 30° of glenohumeral abduction combined with either a middle or posterior tenodesis location on the greater tuberosity most effectively restores near normal time-zero humeral head kinematics.

The potential of tendon autograft as meniscus substitution: Current concepts

Meniscectomy is known to alter the mechanics, stability, and kinematics of the tibiofemoral joint, leading to early knee osteoarthritis (KOA). While several meniscal substitutions exist, such as meniscus allograft transplantation, collagen meniscus implants, and artificial substitutes, they often come with technical challenges, high costs, and risks, including allograft failure, infections, and disease transmission. Tendon autografts emerge as a promising option, offering safety, availability, biocompatibility, and a reduced risk of pathophoresis. This review delves into basic, in vivo, in vitro, and biomechanical studies alongside clinical outcomes and future prospects of tendon autografts as meniscus substitutes. A thorough understanding of this option is vital for integrating these evolving techniques into clinical practice and mitigating early KOA progression.

Editorial Commentary: Arthroscopic Subscapular Sling Procedure for Anterior Glenohumeral Instability Has Limitations: Dynamic Anterior Stabilization Using Long Head of the Biceps Tendon May Represent a More Favorable Alternative

Anterior shoulder instability is common. Cases of mild glenoid bone loss are typically addressed with conventional arthroscopic Bankart repair procedures, whereas more critical glenoid bone loss often necessitates more invasive, bone-blocking procedures. Recently, for cases that fall between the need for arthroscopic repair and open procedures, surgeons have developed methods for using soft tissue grafts to create a "sling" effect and augment glenoid labral repair. The subscapular sling procedure aims to restore stability by introducing a semitendinosus autograft into the glenohumeral joint to reconstruct the torn labrum; the graft is wrapped around the subscapularis to create a suspensory sling. Limitations include harvest site morbidity; increased surgical time; subscapularis split, which can compromise the tendon integrity, resulting in loss of internal rotation; and a persistently positive apprehension test. Finally, the technique is complex, and similar alternatives with fewer limitations may include a dynamic anterior stabilization technique using the long head of the biceps tendon, which creates a stabilizing sling effect without graft harvest from the leg and has positive reported outcomes.

Biologic augmentation of rotator cuff repair with microfragmented autologous subacromial bursal tissue enveloped in a patch of compressed autologous long head of biceps tendon tissue: the Bio-Ravioli technique

Background

Rotator cuff repair is one of the most frequently performed procedures in orthopedic surgery. However, considering the limited healing potential of rotator cuff tendons, several augmentation strategies have evolved to enhance tendon healing. The purpose of this article was to present a new surgical technique called Bio-Ravioli.

Methods

Patients with repairable full-thickness posterosuperior rotator cuff tear and a moderate-to-high risk of healing failure were chosen as candidates for the Bio-Ravioli procedure. It is a biologic augmentation strategy to increase healing potential of arthroscopic rotator cuff repair by use of a biologic graft fixed at the bone-tendon interface. The Bio-Ravioli consists of microfragmented autologous subacromial bursal tissue enveloped in a patch of compressed autologous long head of biceps tendon tissue. The rotator cuff is then repaired to the bone and over the graft using a transosseus equivalent configuration.

Conclusion

The Bio-Ravioli technique represents an easy and reliable way to increase the healing potential at the bone-tendon interface by using autologous mesenchymal stem cells from different sources: subacromial bursa and long head of the biceps tendon.

"Shoe Shop" Lacing Technique: A New Biceps-Augmented Knotless Suture for Arthroscopic Rotator Cuff Repair

Advancements in rotator cuff tear repair have led to innovative techniques for complex cases. In this article, we introduce the "shoe shop" lacing technique, a knotless, side-to-side, and tendon-to-bone suture method augmented with the long head of the biceps tendon (LHBT) for anterior margin-deficient massive rotator cuff tears. This approach offers simplicity, durability, and potential advantages in biomechanics. The LHBT integration and knotless sutures make it a promising solution for challenging tear patterns. This technique provides an attractive option for arthroscopic repair, improving outcomes in cases where anterior cable reinforcement is essential.

Anterior Labral Reconstruction With Biceps Autograft for Anterior Shoulder Instability

Shoulder instability is a common problem, with current research focused on understanding the implications of humeral and glenoid bone loss. Soft tissue injury, including damage to the anterior labrum, deformity of the capsule, and disruption of the inferior glenohumeral ligament, also contributes to the pathology of shoulder dislocation with implications for recurrent instability. Anatomic placement of the labral tissue and restoration of capsular tension are essential components of successful arthroscopic Bankart repair (ABR). Patients who meet criteria for ABR with a diminutive, ruptured, or absent anterior labrum at the time of arthroscopic stabilization present a significant challenge to repair. In this Technical Note, we demonstrate a technique using biceps autograft to reconstruct the anterior labrum.