Arthroscopic isolated long head of biceps tenotomy in patients with degenerative rotator cuff tears: mid-term clinical results and prognostic factors

Nonsurgical Management of Shoulder Pain in Rotator Cuff Tears: Ultrasound-Guided Biceps Tenotomy Combined With Corticosteroid Injection

Traditionally, the management of rotator cuff tears in elderly individuals has involved surgical intervention, specifically biceps tenotomy. However, surgical procedures come with inherent medical risks and significant financial costs. As an alternative, ultrasound-guided biceps tenotomy combined with corticosteroid has emerged as a highly effective, well-tolerated, and cost-efficient option. This article aims to describe the procedural technique of nonsurgical management using ultrasound-guided biceps tenotomy combined with corticosteroid injection.

Long head of the biceps intra-articular tenotomy using needle arthroscopy under local anesthesia: preliminary results and technical note

Purpose

Arthroscopic isolated biceps tenotomy is a procedure successfully performed in patients with degenerative rotator cuff tears which offers good clinical results. With this article, we describe the technique of biceps tenotomy with needle arthroscopy in local anesthesia and the results of first patients treated from 2018.

Methods

Thirteen patients with irreparable rotator cuff tear treated with arthroscopic needle biceps tenotomy under local anesthesia were included. Constant score and active/passive flexion were recorded preoperatively and at 3 months postoperatively.

Results

The average age of the patients was 71 ± 7 year old. All the patients were available for the follow-up. The Constant score significantly improved from pre- to postoperatively (44 ± 8.9 to 63.1 ± 14.2, p < 0.05). Active flexion improved from preoperatively 115 ± 24° to 145 ± 31° postoperatively (p < 0.05), while passive flexion did not significantly improve.

Conclusion

This technique can be safely performed in the elderly patient with irreparable rotator cuff tears and pain refractory to conservative measures.

Supplementary Information

The online version contains supplementary material available at 10.1186/s40634-022-00508-5.

Wide-Awake Shoulder Nanoscopic Long Head of Biceps Tenotomy

Arthroscopic long head of biceps tenotomy is an established technique for addressing shoulder pain associated with long head of biceps pathology. Arthroscopic techniques, compared with open surgery, have demonstrated improvements in outcomes for patients including rapid recovery, but either regional or general anesthesia is required, which is associated with complications. We describe a novel technique using a Nanoscope needle arthroscopy system that allows for long head of biceps tenotomy to be performed under local anesthetic in the outpatient or office setting.