Preventing the Popeye Deformity After Release of the Long Head of the Biceps Tendon: An Alternative Technique and Biomechanical Evaluation

Background: Controversy exits regarding performing a tenotomy versus a tenodesis of the long head of the biceps tendon (LHBT). Purpose: To evaluate the complications after arthroscopic tenotomy of the LHBT and characterize the incidence of cosmetic deformity, cramping, subjective weakness, and continued anterior shoulder pain (ASP). Additionally, to identify patient-related factors that may predispose a patient to these complications. Study Design: Case-control study; Level of evidence, 3. Methods: Records of patients who underwent an arthroscopic LHBT tenotomy at an integrated health care system under the care of 55 surgeons were retrospectively reviewed. Exclusion criteria included LHBT tenodesis, arthroplasty, neoplastic, or fracture surgery; age younger than 18 years; incomplete documentation of physical examination; or incomplete operative reports. Characteristic data, concomitant procedures, LHBT morphology, and postoperative complications were recorded. Patients with and without postoperative complications—including cosmetic deformity, subjective weakness, continued ASP, and cramping—were analyzed by age, sex, dominant arm, body mass index (BMI), smoking status, workers’ compensation status, and intraoperative LHBT morphology to identify risk factors for developing these postoperative complications. Results: A total of 192 patients who underwent LHBT tenotomy were included in the final analysis. Tenotomy was performed with concomitant shoulder procedures in all but 1 individual. The mean ± SD patient age was 60.6 ± 9.5 years, and 55% were male. The overall complication rate was 37%. The most common postoperative complications include cosmetic (Popeye) deformity (14.1%), subjective weakness (10.4%), cramping (10.4%), and continued postoperative ASP over the bicipital groove (7.8%). Every 10-year increase in age was associated with 0.52 (95% CI, 0.28-0.94) times the odds of continued ASP and 0.59 (95% CI, 0.36-0.98) times the odds of cramping pain. Male patients had 3.9 (95% CI, 1.4-10.8) times the odds of cosmetic (Popeye) deformity. Patients who had active workers’ compensation claims had 12.5 (95% CI, 2.4-63.4) times the odds of having continued postoperative ASP. Tenotomy on the dominant arm, BMI, and active smoking status demonstrated no statistically significant association with postoperative complications. Conclusion: Patients experiencing complications after tenotomy were significantly younger and more likely to be male and to have a workers’ compensation injury. LHBT tenotomy may best be indicated for elderly patients, female patients, and those without active workers’ compensation claims.

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Clinical outcome comparison of suprapectoral and subpectoral tenodesis of the long head of the biceps with concomitant rotator cuff repair: A systematic review

Shoulder & Elbow ◽

10.1177/1758573221989089 ◽

2021 ◽

pp. 175857322198908

Author(s):

Selim Ergün ◽

Yiğit Umur Cırdı ◽

Said Erkam Baykan ◽

Umut Akgün ◽

Mustafa Karahan

Keyword(s):

Rotator Cuff ◽

Rotator Cuff Repair ◽

Case Reports ◽

Biceps Tendon ◽

Case Series ◽

Biceps Tenodesis ◽

Long Head Of Biceps ◽

Long Head ◽

Cuff Repair ◽

Popeye Deformity

Background Simultaneous repairs of rotator cuff and biceps tenodesis can be managed by tenodesis of long head of biceps tendon to a subpectoral or suprapectoral area. This review investigated long head of biceps tendon tenodesis with concomitant rotator cuff repair and evaluated the clinical outcomes and incidences of complications based on tenodesis location. Methods Medline, Cochrane, and Embase databases were searched for published, randomized or nonrandomized controlled studies and prospective or retrospective case series with the phrases “suprapectoral,” “subpectoral,” “tenodesis,” and “long head of biceps tendon”. Those with a clinical evidence Level IV or higher were included. Non-English manuscripts, review articles, commentaries, letters, case reports, and sole long head of biceps tendon tenodesis articles were excluded. Results From 481 studies, 13 were chosen. In total, 1194 subpectoral and 2520 suprapectoral tenodesis cases were investigated. Postoperative Constant-Murley and American Shoulder and Elbow Surgeons mean scores showed similar good results. In terms of complication incidences, while transient nerve injuries were more commonly seen in patients with subpectoral tenodesis, persistent bicipital pain and Popeye deformity are mostly seen in patients with suprapectoral tenodesis. Discussion Biceps tenodesis to suprapectoral or subpectoral area with concomitant rotator cuff repair demonstrated similar outcomes. Popeye deformity and persistent bicipital pain were higher in suprapectoral area and transient neuropraxia was found to be higher in subpectoral area. Level of evidence: IV.

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Complete rupture of the long head of the biceps tendon and the distal biceps tendon

South African Journal of Radiology ◽

10.4102/sajr.v18i2.710 ◽

2014 ◽

Vol 18 (2) ◽

Author(s):

Pieter J. Oberholzer

Keyword(s):

Biceps Tendon ◽

Biceps Muscle ◽

Upper Arm ◽

Distal Biceps Tendon ◽

Musculotendinous Junction ◽

Distal Biceps ◽

Sharp Pain ◽

Complete Rupture ◽

Long Head ◽

Popeye Deformity

The most common injury to the biceps muscle is rupture of the long head of the biceps tendon. A tear can occur proximally, distally or at the musculotendinous junction. Two cases are discussed, in both of which the patients felt a sudden sharp pain in the upper arm, at the shoulder and elbow respectively, and presented with a biceps muscle bump (Popeye deformity).

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Biomechanical evaluation of the origin of the long head of the biceps tendon

Arthroscopy The Journal of Arthroscopic and Related Surgery ◽

10.1053/jars.2001.21244 ◽

2001 ◽

Vol 17 (4) ◽

pp. 378-382 ◽

Cited By ~ 18

Author(s):

Jack H. Healey ◽

Shane Barton ◽

Phillip Noble ◽

Harold W. Kohl ◽

Omer A. Ilahi

Keyword(s):

Biceps Tendon ◽

Biomechanical Evaluation ◽

Long Head

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Symptomatic Superior Labral Anterior Posterior Lesion With Absence of the Long Head of the Biceps Tendon: A Case Report

Yearbook of Sports Medicine ◽

10.1016/s0162-0908(08)70296-4 ◽

2006 ◽

Vol 2006 ◽

pp. 60-61

Author(s):

D.E. Feldman

Keyword(s):

Case Report ◽

Biceps Tendon ◽

Posterior Lesion ◽

Long Head ◽

Anterior Posterior

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Measurements of Tendon Movement Within the Bicipital Groove After Suprapectoral Intra-articular Biceps Tenodesis in a Cadaveric Model

Orthopaedic Journal of Sports Medicine ◽

10.1177/2325967120977538 ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 9 (1) ◽

pp. 232596712097753

Author(s):

Brian J. Kelly ◽

Alan W. Reynolds ◽

Patrick J. Schimoler ◽

Alexander Kharlamov ◽

Mark Carl Miller ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Biceps Tendon ◽

Full Range ◽

Elbow Flexion ◽

Biceps Tenodesis ◽

Bicipital Groove ◽

Biceps Tenotomy ◽

Flexion Extension ◽

Before And After ◽

Long Head ◽

Scapular Motion

Background: Lesions of the long head of the biceps can be successfully treated with biceps tenotomy or tenodesis when surgical management is elected. The advantage of a tenodesis is that it prevents the potential development of a cosmetic deformity or cramping muscle pain. Proponents of a subpectoral tenodesis believe that “groove pain” may remain a problem after suprapectoral tenodesis as a result of persistent motion of the tendon within the bicipital groove. Purpose/Hypothesis: To evaluate the motion of the biceps tendon within the bicipital groove before and after a suprapectoral intra-articular tenodesis. The hypothesis was that there would be minimal to no motion of the biceps tendon within the bicipital groove after tenodesis. Study Design: Controlled laboratory study. Methods: Six fresh-frozen cadaveric arms were dissected to expose the long head of the biceps tendon as well as the bicipital groove. Inclinometers and fiducials (optical markers) were used to measure the motions of the scapula, forearm, and biceps tendon through a full range of shoulder and elbow motions. A suprapectoral biceps tenodesis was then performed, and the motions were repeated. The motion of the biceps tendon was quantified as a function of scapular or forearm motion in each plane, both before and after the tenodesis. Results: There was minimal motion of the native biceps tendon during elbow flexion and extension but significant motion during all planes of scapular motion before tenodesis, with the most motion occurring during shoulder flexion-extension (20.73 ± 8.21 mm). The motion of the biceps tendon after tenodesis was significantly reduced during every plane of scapular motion compared with the native state ( P < .01 in all planes of motion), with a maximum motion of only 1.57 mm. Conclusion: There was a statistically significant reduction in motion of the biceps tendon in all planes of scapular motion after the intra-articular biceps tenodesis. The motion of the biceps tendon within the bicipital groove was essentially eliminated after the suprapectoral biceps tenodesis. Clinical Relevance: This arthroscopic suprapectoral tenodesis technique can significantly reduce motion of the biceps tendon within the groove in this cadaveric study, possibly reducing the likelihood of groove pain in the clinical setting.

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