Surgical Outcomes after Arthroscopic Single Row Anchor Repair for Subscapularis Tears Concomitant with Injury of the Long Head of the Biceps Tendon

Abstract

Objective: To analyze the clinical effects of single row anchor in repairing tears of the subscapularis muscle combined with the long head of the biceps tendon (LHBT) injury under arthroscopy.

Methods: From June 2016 to June 2017, the clinical data of 32 patients with subscapularis combined with biceps tendon injury were retrospectively analyzed. Preoperative MRI examination of the shoulder joint was performed to evaluate tendon injuries, and the subscapularis muscle was repaired with single row anchor under arthroscopy, and tenotomy or tenodesis was performed on the long head tendon of the biceps humerus in the intertubercular groove. The range of motion and the functional score of the shoulder joint before and after the operation were evaluated. All patients were followed up for at least 24 months.

Results: The mean follow-up period was 28.8 months (range, 24-34 months). No infections occurred during the follow-up period. The patients' follow up exams showed significant improvement in postoperative shoulder joint flexion, external rotation, and internal rotation (P < 0.01), and the postoperative shoulder function American Society of Shoulder and Elbow Surgery Shoulder Joint Score (ASES; 80.6 ± 7.6) was significantly higher than the preoperative score (P < 0.01). The visual analog scale score (1.8 ± 0.8) was significantly lower than that before surgery (P < 0.01). The constant score (80.5 ± 7.4) was significantly higher than preoperation (P < 0.01). There was no significant difference in shoulder joint score between the tenotomy and tenodesis groups (P > 0.05). Preoperative and postoperative scores were, respectively: visual analog scale score (1.7 ± 0.9 vs 1.8 ± 0.0.8) ASES score (81.3 ± 7.9 vs 80.1 ± 8.0) and constant score (80.9 ± 8.0 vs 80.1 ± 6.9).

Conclusion: Using single row anchor under arthroscopy to repair subscapularis combined with long head of biceps tendon injury yielded good results and high tendon healing rates were obtained.

Keywords: Arthroscopy; Long head of the biceps tendon; Shoulder Joint; Subscapularis.