Superior Capsular Reconstruction using the Long Head of the Biceps Tendon: The Biceps Loop Technique

Superior capsular reconstruction using the long head of biceps tendon: a biomechanical assessment of tenodesis location and angle of fixation

BACKGROUND

Massive irreparable rotator cuff tears (MIRCTs) treated with superior capsular reconstruction (SCR) using the long head of the biceps tendon have shown satisfactory early results. Different techniques and positions for biceps tenodesis have been described. This study aimed to evaluate the effect of tenodesis location and glenohumeral fixation angle for graft tensioning on the biomechanics of an SCR using a single-strand biceps technique.

METHODS

Eight cadaveric shoulders were mounted onto a custom biomechanical simulator that used static tone loads to the deltoid and rotator cuff muscles. All cadavers were first tested in the intact condition, and then in the simulated MIRCT condition by sectioning the tendinous insertions of the supraspinatus and upper border of the infraspinatus. SCR using the long head of the biceps tendon was then evaluated. Three biceps tenodesis locations relative to the greater tuberosity (anterior, middle, and posterior) and 2 glenohumeral fixation angles (0° and 30°) for graft tensioning were tested. An optical tracking system was used to quantify superior-inferior and anterior-posterior humeral head translation relative to the glenoid, whereas the functional abduction force was quantified using a load sensor. All tests were conducted at 0°, 30°, and 60° of glenohumeral abduction in a randomized fashion.

RESULTS

When assessing isolated superior humeral head migration, all biceps tenodesis locations were effective at decreasing superior migration, with no tenodesis location significantly better than the other (P = .213). However, biceps grafts tensioned at 30° of glenohumeral abduction were significantly better at reducing proximal humeral migration as compared to graft tensioning at 0° abduction (P = .008). Posterior humeral head translation observed in the MIRCT condition was significantly reduced when tensioning the biceps tendon at 30° of glenohumeral abduction compared with 0° for all tenodesis locations (P ≤ .043). The tenodesis location also significantly influenced posterior humeral head translation (P = .001), with the middle and posterior positions restoring near normal humeral head position when fixed at 30° glenohumeral abduction. All SCR techniques using the biceps tendon improved the functional abduction force relative to the MIRCT condition, although no statistically significant differences were observed relative to the intact condition (P ≥ .448).

DISCUSSION

SCR using the long head of the biceps tendon is biomechanically effective in reducing posterosuperior translation of the humeral head in the setting of an MIRCT. Graft tensioning and fixation at 30° of glenohumeral abduction combined with either a middle or posterior tenodesis location on the greater tuberosity most effectively restores near normal time-zero humeral head kinematics.

Superior capsular reconstruction with the long head of the biceps tendon achieves excellent clinical results and low rotator cuff rerupture rates one year after cuff repair surgery

PURPOSE

To analyze the clinical one-year evolution of healed and rerupture lesions in patients who received a rotator cuff repair plus Superior Capsular Reconstruction (SCR) with the long head of the biceps (LHB). Moreover, to compare this evolution between men and women.

METHODS

A pilot study was conducted on patients who underwent a rotator cuff repair plus SCR with LHB between February 2021 and June 2022. All patients completed pre-operative and one-year post-operative evaluations for tendon type of tear and tendon integrity using Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI)after one year of the surgery. Besides, functionality was evaluated with the American Shoulder and Elbow Surgeons (ASES) score; the visual analog scale for pain (VAS); and the Constant score.

RESULTS

A total of 38 patients completed the one-year final evaluation, they presented an increased functionality score to 83 and 86 in Constant and ASES scales (p < .001), respectively. Besides, 84% of the patients presented a healed cuff, while rerupture occurred in 16% of the patients. There were differences between the healed and rerupture patients in the total Constant score, with a remarkable increase in the strength subscale, almost double for patients with healed cuff (p < .001); in the same way, daily life activity score, and balance subscale increased, while pain score decreased in the healed cuff group (p < .05). There was no difference in functionality between men and women (p > .05). Besides, almost all patients achieved the MCID in both ASES and Constant total scores, irrespectively of the healing group.

CONCLUSION

The cuff repair using SCR with the LHB achieved a low percentage of rerupture and a functional improvement after one year of follow-up. Patients who healed the lesion presented more strength and better performance in daily life activities than those with cuff repurture. Thus, SCR + LHB procedure can be considered an efficient technique for rotator cuff repair surgery for both men and women. Although a comparison with a control group is needed to confirm these findings.

Double Attack Repair for Massive Rotator Cuff Tears: Superior Capsular Reconstruction Using the Long Head of Biceps Tendon Plus Margin Convergence Repair

Arthroscopic repair of massive retracted rotator cuff tears is very challenging with a high incidence of retears. Many techniques have been described to improve the outcomes of arthroscopic repair. In this technique, a superior capsular reconstruction using the long head of the biceps is combined with margin convergence repair aimed at improving the mechanical strength of the repair. The long head of the biceps is used as a superior capsular reconstruction to stabilize the humeral head and prevent proximal migration. Moreover, margin convergence provides an efficient gap filling between remnants of the supraspinatus and infraspinatus tendons to restore an efficient rotator repair in anatomical, biological, and tension-free fashion.

Arthroscopic Superior Capsular Reconstruction Using Hamstring Allograft

Superior capsular reconstruction (SCR) has become an acceptable treatment option for patients with chronic shoulder pain in the setting of an irreparable rotator cuff tear. Several different techniques have been described with varying graft options. In this Technical Note, we introduce a technique for arthroscopic SCR using hamstring allograft tendon. Our described technique allows for a "one-size-fits-all" graft with a "build as you go" construct with no need for intraoperative dimensional defect measurements or specific graft modifications. This technique provides a reliable and reproducible procedure using readily available graft tissue.

Early Treatment of Shoulder Pathology Is Necessary but Not Enough Is Being Performed

Delayed treatment of shoulder instability results in bone loss requiring more-complicated surgery, in turn resulting in less-optimal outcomes. Similarly, delayed treatment of repairable rotator cuff tears results in irreparable tears requiring more-complicated surgery and resulting in less-optimal outcomes. Delayed treatment of shoulder pathology is a problem. Solutions include education and research investigation.