Arthroscopic tenodesis using a bioabsorbable interference screw and soft anchor: A case series of 60 patients

Various arthroscopic tenodesis techniques for the treatment of long head of the biceps tendon pathologic abnormalities have been described.

This study evaluated the clinical outcomes of using a bioabsorbable interference screw and soft anchor for long head of the biceps tendon arthroscopic tenodesis.

Sixty patients treated by this technique between February 2013 and March 2015 were followed up for at least 2 years. In our operative technique, after the bone hole was made just proximal to the pectoralis major, the soft anchor was inserted at the bottom of the hole. After tenotomy of the long head of the biceps tendon proximal to the bone hole, the tendon was fixed into the bottom of the hole temporarily using the soft anchor. Finally, the tendon was fixed in the hole with a bioabsorbable interference screw.

The UCLA score 15.1 points preoperatively and 32.4 points at follow-up (p < 0.05). The Constant 55.8 points preoperatively and 93.9 points at follow-up (p < 0.01). After biceps tenodesis, no cosmetic deformities were found in 56 patients (93.3%), and four patients (6.7%) had a Popeye deformity. On postoperative magnetic resonance evaluation, the long head of the biceps tendon was located on the bicipital groove without deviation in 53 cases (88.3%), on the bicipital groove with a partial deviation in 6 cases (10.0%), and outside the bicipital groove with complete deviation (dislocated) in 1 case (1.7%).

We found that arthroscopic biceps tenodesis using a soft anchor provided a reliable means for treating biceps pathology with no cosmetic deformities and with good clinical results.