OBJECTIVE: To assess the feasibility, operative time, clinical outcomes, possible complications, and failure rates of all-through arthroscopic biceps tenodesis using press-fit bony plug technique.
METHODS: This prospective case series study involved 30 skeletally mature patients with long head of biceps pathology (tendinitis after failure of conservative treatment, subluxation, dislocation, or tendon tears). All patients were followed up for 24 months at least.
RESULTS: Twenty-nine patients regained full shoulder and elbow range of motion; one case suffered from reflex sympathetic dystrophy. There was a significant improvement in the constant, ASES, and VAS scores when comparing the pre-operative and post-operative values. The average biceps strength was 96% compared to the opposite healthy side. No cases were complicated by neuro-vascular deficits or failure of the tenodesis.
CONCLUSIONS: Press-fit biceps tenodesis is safe and accessible with low economic demands. We recommend this technique to be used more often when addressing patients with long head of biceps pathologies.
UNASSIGNED: Registration number: N-1562023. Registration date: June 2022 \"Retrospectively registered\".

UNASSIGNED: This study aimed to determine whether dogs with shoulder tendinopathy diagnosed via musculoskeletal ultrasound would show improvement in imaging after treatment using piezoelectric shockwave therapy and rest.
UNASSIGNED: Medical records were reviewed for dogs diagnosed with biceps and/or supraspinatus tendinopathy via musculoskeletal ultrasound, treated using piezowave shockwave, and re-imaged post-treatment. Data collected included patient signalment, duration and grade of lameness, prior rest, piezowave dose, and patient outcome, including a return to sport where applicable. Images were scored using an adapted ultrasound grading scale, in addition to obtaining cross-sectional area measurements. Statistics included Shapiro-Wilk tests (normality), Wilcoxon matched pairs signed rank tests (pre- vs. post-treatment comparisons), and Spearman\'s correlation coefficients (lameness grade vs. ultrasound score) (significant at P < 0.05).
UNASSIGNED: In total, 26 of 30 dogs had pathology involving both the biceps and supraspinatus tendons in one limb, with 27 of 30 having tendon/s affected bilaterally. For both tendons, post-treatment cross-sectional area and ultrasound score were significantly lower than pre-treatment (P < 0.001). Lameness decreased clinically (P < 0.0001) following piezowave shockwave treatment regardless of the tendons involved, but the lameness score did not correlate with the ultrasound score for either tendon.
UNASSIGNED: Dogs with tendinopathy of the biceps brachii and supraspinatus showed significant improvement on follow-up musculoskeletal ultrasound and lameness evaluation after the treatment of their tendons using piezoelectric shockwave therapy with rest.
UNASSIGNED: Canine biceps brachii and supraspinatus tendinopathy can cause variable lameness and ultrasonographic appearance, which improves after shockwave therapy and rest. The ultrasound scoring system and cross-sectional area assessment provide useful outcome measures for clinical cases.

UNASSIGNED: Modern distal biceps reconstruction techniques generally have satisfactory outcomes, but are not without complications. Posterior interosseous nerve (PIN) palsy is a rare but potentially devastating complication of bicortical metal button fixation. Recently, a unicortical, intramedullary, repair technique utilizing a suture anchor has been described. The primary aim of this study was to compare short-term functional and patient-reported outcomes and complication rates in patients receiving unicortical intramedullary repair (UR) with suture anchor against those receiving bicortical repair (BR) with metallic button. We hypothesized that UR would have equally satisfactory outcomes without the complication profile.
UNASSIGNED: Retrospective chart review was conducted for all patients undergoing operative fixation of distal biceps tendon ruptures from 2015 to 2021 at our tertiary referral center. Twenty patients received BR, and eight patients received UR. Patient demographics and surgical complications were compared. QuickDASH scores at two-month and latest in-person and telehealth postoperative visits, as well as elbow and forearm range of motion at last clinical visit, were collected and analyzed.
UNASSIGNED: Average patient age in the BR & UR cohorts were 49.3 ± 9.3 and 42.1 ± 6.2 years, respectively, with a male predominance. There was no statistical difference in patient age, sex, hand dominance, injury laterality, injury chronicity, and follow-up duration. Range of motion was comparable and excellent in both groups. Latest follow-up was 3.0 ± 0.5 years in the BR and 1.5 ± 0.4 years in the UR cohorts. QuickDASH scores improved between the two-month and latest time points in each cohort however did not differ significantly in head-to-head comparison. Complications included a case of PIN palsy, distal biceps tendon rerupture, and lateral antebrachial cutaneous nerve (LABC) neuropraxia in the BR group and two cases of LABC neuropraxia in the UR group. The number needed to treat (NNT) for the prevention of one additional case of PIN palsy using UR is 22 patients.
UNASSIGNED: Short-term functional and patient-reported outcomes in traditional BR and newly reported UR of distal biceps tendon ruptures are comparable and excellent. UR did not have higher failure rate despite follow-up periods beyond what is typically reported for tendon reruptures. In this limited retrospective cohort study, UR also did not encounter postoperative PIN palsy and had an NNT of 22 patients. In the appropriate clinical setting, this provides early evidence supporting the utilization of unicortical intramedullary suture anchor fixation of distal biceps tendon ruptures as well as associated perioperative interventions such as preoperative nerve blocks.

Glenoid superior biceps-labral pathology diagnosis, treatment, and outcomes are an evolving area of shoulder surgery. Historically, described as superior labrum anterior posterior (SLAP) tears, these lesions were identified as a source of pain in throwing athletes. Diagnosis and treatments applied to these SLAP lesions resulted in less than optimal outcomes in some patients and a prevailing sense of confusion. The purpose of this paper is to perform a reappraisal of the anatomy, examination, imaging, and diagnosis by the American Shoulder and Elbow Surgeons/SLAP biceps study group. We sought to capture emerging concepts and suggest a more unified approach to evaluation and identify specific needs for future research.

While neuromuscular fatigability has been previously characterized after running and cycling, no study has investigated an ultra-endurance upper body task. In preparation for a world record attempt, three pacing strategies to perform 1980 pull-ups in 6 hrs were compared during independent sessions: fast pace, long recovery (FL), fast pace, multiple short recoveries (FMS), and slow pace, no recovery (SN). Elbow flexion maximal voluntary contraction (MVC) force, grip strength, peripheral fatigue, and biceps brachii electromyography were quantified every 330 pull-ups and during recovery, alongside heart rate, perceived effort, and arm muscle pain. In all conditions, MVC force decreased rapidly within the first set of 330 pull-ups, with the greatest depression observed in FL (-29.1%) and more gradual declines in FMS (-18.6%) and SN (-8.6%). Similarly, FL displayed the greatest decline in potentiated single twitch (FL: -75.0%; FMS: -53.9%; SN: -41.8%) and high-frequency doublet forces (FL: -63.3%; FMS: -29.2%; SN: -41.8%) following the first set, as well as higher heart rate, effort, and pain throughout the task. Following 24 hrs, MVC force recovered slowest in FL and grip strength recovered fastest in SN. Therefore, for the world record attempt, a strategy with a continuous workload at slower pace should be used.

BACKGROUND: The aim of this study was to retrospectively evaluate the clinical outcome of double intramedullary all-suture anchors\' fixation for distal biceps tendon ruptures.
METHODS: A retrospective case series of patients who underwent primary distal biceps tendon repair with all-suture anchors was conducted. Functional outcome was assessed at a minimum follow-up of at 12 months based on the assessments of the Mayo Elbow Performance Score (MEPS), Andrews-Carson Score (ACS), Quick Disabilities of the Arm, Shoulder, and Hand questionnaire (QuickDASH), and the Visual Analog Scale (VAS) for pain. Maximum isometric strength test for flexion and supination as well as postoperative range of motion (ROM) were determined for both arms.
RESULTS: 23 patients treated with all-suture anchors were assessed at follow-up survey (mean age 56.5 ± 11.4 years, 96% male). The follow-up time was 20 months (range Q0.25-Q0.75, 15-23 months). The following outcome results were obtained: MEPS 100 (range Q0.25-Q0.75, 100-100); ACS 200 (range Q0.25-Q0.75, 195-200); QuickDASH 31 (range Q0.25-Q0.75, 30-31); VAS 0 (range Q0.25-Q0.75, 0-0). The mean strength compared to the uninjured side was 95.6% (range Q0.25-Q0.75, 80.9-104%) for flexion and 91.8 ± 11.6% for supination. There was no significant difference in ROM or strength compared to the uninjured side and no complications were observed in any patient.
CONCLUSIONS: Distal biceps tendon refixation using all-suture anchors provides good-to-excellent results in terms of patient-reported and functional outcome. This repair technique appears to be a viable surgical option, although further long-term results are needed.
METHODS: Level IV (case series).

BACKGROUND: The optimal position of the elbow and forearm during biceps tenodesis is a debated topic. The aim of our study was to compare two different forearm positions, pronation-extension (PE) or neutral, for fixation of the long head of the biceps tendon (LHB) in biceps tenodesis.
METHODS: Fifty patients who underwent shoulder arthroscopy between February 2016 and January 2019 were included in our study. After diagnostic arthroscopy, the LHB was cut from its origin with a thermal ablator. The LHB was then tenodesed beneath the inferior border of the pectoralis major tendon for 25 patients in the PE position and for 25 patients in the neutral position. Patients were evaluated preoperatively and 3rd, 6th and 12th months postoperatively according to the visual analog scale (VAS), American Shoulder and Elbow Surgeons (ASES) shoulder and Constant scores. Flexion and supination force measurements were made with a digital dynamometer device, compared to the healthy side for both groups.
RESULTS: ASES and VAS scores were statistically better in the PE group compared with the neutral group (p < 0.05), but there was no statistically significant difference between Constant scores at 3 and 6 months (p > 0.05). No significant difference was found in both groups for 3 scores at 12 months. Comparison of the PE group with the contralateral extremity and comparing the neutral group with the contralateral extremity in terms of flexion strength showed no statistically significant difference. No statistically significant difference was found between the supination powers of both comparative groups.
CONCLUSIONS: Functional scoring in the PE position is better at 3 and 6 months because patients experience less pain at 3 and 6 months. The simple change of the fixation position causes patients to feel less pain in the early period.
METHODS:

BACKGROUND: Treating recurrent anterior shoulder instability in collision sports, capsule-labrum defects, and bipolar bone loss remains challenging. The study purpose was to investigate the effect of long head of biceps transfer (LHBT) on load-to-dislocation biomechanics in a repetitive serial shoulder dislocation cadaveric model comparing LHBT to the Latarjet and Bankart procedures, first-line treatment for chronic traumatic anterior shoulder instability with and without anterior glenoid bone loss, respectively.
METHODS: This controlled laboratory study dislocated eight fresh-frozen cadaveric shoulders with different conditions in sequence using a custom test frame. Muscle loading configuration simulated the arm in apprehension position, and biceps loads were 20 N and 40 N for the static glenohumeral position analysis to evaluate the sling effect. Sequential experimental conditions included intact, second and third dislocations, chronic instability, Bankart repair, LHBT, subcritical glenoid bone loss, LHBT, and Latarjet.
RESULTS: Pectoralis major and joint reaction loads to dislocation sequentially decreased with serial dislocations in all specimens, with the lowest value in the subcritical glenoid bone defect condition. In the setting of chronic instability, pectoralis load to dislocation was significantly higher with Bankart repair (P=0.031) and LHBT (P<0.001) to 71% and 85% of intact, respectively. Direct comparison of pectoralis load to dislocation favored LHBT over Bankart repair (p=0.015). In the subcritical defect scenario, LHBT did not significantly increase load to dislocate, and the Latarjet demonstrated higher load to dislocate than LHBT (p<0.001). All three surgical procedures tested significantly increased the angle of horizontal abduction at the time of dislocation and restored glenohumeral position to closer to intact. Doubling the biceps load leveraged the sling effect pulling the humeral head further posterior-superiorly, but this was not enough to overcome the effect of a 20% subcritical glenoid bone defect.
CONCLUSIONS: In a serial dislocation model, LHBT effectively stabilized the glenohumeral joint in a simulated chronic instability scenario, increasing pectoralis major load to dislocate and glenohumeral joint reaction force components at the time of dislocation and restoring relative glenohumeral positioning to close to intact state. Latarjet outperformed LHBT in stabilizing shoulders in the 20% subcritical glenoid bone defect.

UNASSIGNED: Restoration of the long head of the biceps tendon (LHBT) length-tension relationship is critical in preserving muscle strength and efficiency when performing biceps tenodesis. While static anatomic landmarks such as the inferior border of the pectoralis major may be used intraoperatively to achieve this, shoulder position may affect the excursion of the biceps tendon and represents another variable to consider.
UNASSIGNED: The purpose of this study was to quantitatively evaluate the normal excursion of LHBT that occurs through a glenohumeral range of motion. We also sought to determine whether elbow position affects LHBT excursion. We hypothesized that LHBT excursion will be affected by glenohumeral flexion and extension, and elbow extension will result in increased excursion at each glenohumeral position compared with a neutral position.
UNASSIGNED: Controlled laboratory study.
UNASSIGNED: A total of 10 fresh-frozen specimens underwent a standard approach for subpectoral biceps tenodesis. The LHBT was identified and tagged with a radiopaque marker within zone 3 of the bicipital tunnel. A total of 3 K-wires were then drilled into the osseous floor: one at the level of the marker in the LHBT, one at 1 cm proximal, and a third 1 cm distal. All 3 K-wires were then cut flush with the anterior humeral cortex. The specimens were next placed into 8 different positions, and the excursion of the LHBT was measured by referencing the K-wires using static fluoroscopic imaging. The results were analyzed using 1-way analysis of variance testing followed by Tukey honestly significant difference testing for pairwise comparison between each individual position and the reference position.
UNASSIGNED: The average total LHBT excursion was 24.4 ± 5.2 mm between the neutral shoulder position and the other shoulder positions tested. The position of the LHBT was significantly different in the reference position compared with each of the other 7 shoulder positions (P < .001). Additionally, the 2 positions of shoulder extension had different LHBT excursions when compared with each position of shoulder flexion (P < .0001). For each shoulder position tested, the position of the LHBT was not significantly different in elbow flexion compared with extension.
UNASSIGNED: There is approximately 24 mm of LHBT excursion throughout the glenohumeral range of motion, with significantly different amounts of excursion in glenohumeral flexion and extension. Elbow position does not significantly affect LHBT excursion. Positioning the shoulder in extension during biceps tenodesis may overtension the biceps, while positioning the shoulder in flexion may undertension the biceps relative to the neutral position. Further research is needed to identify the optimal shoulder position for biceps tenodesis.
UNASSIGNED: Shoulder positioning is an important consideration in establishing a normal length-tension relationship during biceps tenodesis. When compared with flexed shoulder positions, LHBT excursion significantly differs in positions of extension and in a neutral position.

BACKGROUND: Various techniques have been described for distal biceps tendon reinsertion. Although high success rates have been reported, all current techniques have specific shortcomings, with complications such as heterotopic ossification, nerve damage, and gap formation. The purpose of the present study was to biomechanically evaluate a new intramedullary fixation device that might reduce the risk of posterior interosseous nerve lesions. We therefore compared the fixation strength of this new intramedullary button with an extramedullary placed classic extracortical button.
METHODS: A standard bicortical button was compared to the new intramedullary fixation device using fresh-frozen cadaveric specimens. The fixation strengths were tested both cyclically and statically. Load to failure and method of failure were also recorded.
RESULTS: There were no failures during the cyclic load testing. The mean tendon-bone displacement was 0.87 ± 0.13 mm for the bicortical group and 0.83 ± 0.13 mm for the new button. During static loading, the mean load to failure for the bicortical group was 296 ± 97 N, whereas the new button group showed a higher mean load to failure of 356 ± 37 N. Breakout through the anterior cortex was recorded in 2 of 6 bicortically placed buttons and 1 of 6 in the new device.
CONCLUSIONS: The new intramedullary fixation device yields comparable loads to failure compared with currently used techniques in a biomechanical setup. These findings together with the theoretical advantages suggest that this technique may be a valuable solution for the repair of distal biceps tendon rupture.