Relocation of a dislocated long head of biceps tendon is no better than biceps tenodesis

A displaced Long Head of Biceps (LHB) tendon is commonly encountered in association with subscapularis rotator cuff tears. Management options for the displaced tendon consist of tenotomy, tenodesis or relocation with reconstruction of the biceps pulley. We present 16 patients in whom LHB relocation and reconstruction of the biceps pulley, was performed in association with subscapularis rotator cuff repair. During follow-up ultrasound scanning was used to assess LHB mobility and location. Eight of the 16 patients had a static LHB tendon at an average follow-up of 26 months. Four of the 6 patients who had a groove deepening procedure combined with the tendon relocation had a static tendon on ultrasound scanning. Relocation of the LHB and reconstruction of the biceps pulley appears to offer no advantage over tenotomy or tenodesis alone when managing the displaced LHB tendon in conjunction with subscapularis tears.