Purpose
To quantify the amount of the extra-articular long head of the biceps tendon (LHBT)
seen during intra-articular shoulder arthroscopy by pulling the tendon into the joint
with a probe through an anterior portal while viewing through a standard posterior
portal.
Methods
Intra-articular shoulder arthroscopy was performed on 10 forequarter cadaveric specimens.
The extra-articular portion of the LHBT was evaluated by pulling the tendon into the
joint with an arthroscopic probe inserted through an anterior portal. The tendon was
marked at the pulley insertion on the humerus with a vascular clip before and after
the tendon was pulled into the joint. An open deltopectoral approach was performed,
and the amount of extra-articular tendon visualized was calculated as an absolute
amount and in relation to nearby anatomic structures.
Results
An additional 1.9 cm (range, 1.4 to 2.6 cm) of extra-articular LHBT was viewed by
pulling the tendon into the joint with an arthroscopic probe through an anterior portal
during shoulder arthroscopy. This represented 30.8% of the extra-articular portion
of the tendon, 47.7% of tendon in the bicipital groove, and 76.3% of the tendon that
lies under the area from the pulley insertion to the distal edge of the transverse
humeral ligament.
Conclusions
During intra-articular shoulder arthroscopy, the extra-articular portion of the LHBT
is incompletely visualized by pulling the tendon into the joint with a probe placed
through an anterior portal while viewing through a standard posterior portal.
Clinical Relevance
An additional extra-articular portion of the LHBT may be viewed by pulling the tendon
into the joint with an arthroscopic probe during shoulder arthroscopy.
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Article info
Publication history
Published online: September 04, 2014
Accepted:
May 21,
2014
Received:
October 4,
2009
Footnotes
The authors report the following potential conflict of interest or source of funding: A.F. receives support from Stryker. J.P.T. receives support from ArthroCare, Fast Form, ConMed, Smith & Nephew, Arthrex, DePuy. J.J.M. receives support from Cayenne Medical, Pacira. Study supported by an unrestricted research grant ($10,000) from Smith & Nephew solely and completely for purchase of cadaveric specimens.
Identification
Copyright
© 2014 Arthroscopy Association of North America. Published by Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.
