Evaluating clinical outcomes of two biceps tenodesis techniques: Loop 'N' Tack and subpectoral biceps tenodesis

JSES Int. 2023 Apr 17;8(2):274-277. doi: 10.1016/j.jseint.2023.03.015. eCollection 2024 Mar.

Abstract

Purpose: Biceps tenodesis is an effective surgical procedure that can address pathologies of the long head of the biceps tendon. The purpose of this study was to evaluate clinical outcomes following two different biceps tenodesis techniques: Loop 'N' Tack biceps tenodesis and subpectoral biceps tenodesis.

Hypothesis: Patients undergoing both the subpectoral biceps tenodesis and Loop 'N' Tack biceps tenodesis will have improvements in patient-reported outcomes.

Methods: Hundred and sixty five consecutive patients who underwent biceps tenodesis were retrospectively identified and contacted by phone to collect visual analog scale pain scores, University of California, Los Angeles shoulder scores, Simple Shoulder Test scores, Single Assessment Numeric Evaluation scores, and American Shoulder and Elbow Surgeons scores. Range of motion, elbow flexion strength, and incidence of bicipital groove pain and Popeye deformity were recorded.

Results: One Hundred and forty five patients were included in the study (55 subpectoral, 90 Loop 'N' Tack). Patients in both groups reported high American Shoulder and Elbow Surgeons, Simple Shoulder Test, University of California, Los Angeles, Single Assessment Numeric Evaluation shoulder function scores, low visual analog scale pain scores, and had a minimal risk of complications when measured one year postoperatively.

Conclusion: Loop 'N' Tack biceps tenodesis and subpectoral biceps tenodesis techniques are reliable and effective procedures that can reduce pain scores and restore shoulder function when patients require surgical intervention.

Keywords: Biceps; Biceps tenodesis; Long head of the biceps tendon; Loop ‘N’ Tack; Shoulder; Subpectoral biceps tenodesis.