Arthroscopic-assisted biceps tenodesis for ruptures of the long head of biceps brachii: The cobra procedure.

Abstract

A number of open procedures have been presented in the literature that described the repair of the ruptured long head of biceps brachii (LHBB). Although arthroscopic biceps tenodesis techniques have been used to address partial tears or subluxation of the biceps, no arthroscopic technique to assist in the treatment of complete retracted ruptures of the LHBB has been described. This article describes an arthroscopic-assisted biceps tenodesis, using interference screw fixation, in the treatment of acute or chronic LHBB ruptures. An arthroscopic-assisted biceps tenodesis with interference screw fixation provides an alternative to open LHBB tenodesis. The ability to tenodese the retracted LHBB arthroscopically is a technologic advance that could reduce morbidity in comparison to open tenodesis, thus resulting in a better functional outcome.