Proximal Long Head Biceps Rupture: A Predictor of Rotator Cuff Pathology

To investigate whether acute rupture of the proximal long head biceps is a harbinger of disease of the nearby supraspinatus and subscapularis tendons.

A retrospective chart review from February 1, 2008, to August 31, 2016, was performed at our institution identifying patients who presented with an acute (<12-week) history of "Popeye" deformity of the distal biceps and a magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) of the affected shoulder. MRI images were then reviewed in duplicate to determine supraspinatus and subscapularis tendon tear incidence, size, chronicity, and depth. The association between rotator cuff status and acute long head biceps rupture as well as patient age, sex, smoking status, hand dominance, and history of diabetes mellitus or trauma was then evaluated.

A total of 116 patients were included in this study (mean age: 61.9 ± 10.9 years). A significant proportion (n = 99; incidence: 85%) were found to have some degree of supraspinatus or subscapularis tendon tearing on MRI (P < .001). These patients were also found to be significantly older compared with those with an intact rotator cuff (mean age 63.3 ± 10.7 vs 54.2 ± 9.2; P = .001). Full thickness rotator cuff tears were significantly more likely to involve the supraspinatus as opposed to the subscapularis (incidence: 44% and 21%; P = .002).

Despite the expected association of rotator cuff disease with increasing patient age, the results of this study also affirm the hypothesis that inflammation in the rotator cuff interval signaled by rupture of the long head of biceps is a harbinger of rotator cuff disease. Clinicians should have a high index of suspicion regarding concomitant anterosuperior rotator cuff pathology in patients presenting with acute long head of biceps rupture. Early evaluation with advanced imaging should be strongly considered.

Level IV, case series.