Midterm clinical outcomes for arthroscopic subdeltoid transfer of the long head of the biceps tendon to the conjoint tendon.

Abstract

The aim of this study was to assess the midterm functional outcomes for arthroscopic subdeltoid transfer of the long head of the biceps tendon (LHBT) to the conjoint tendon. Fifty-six shoulders in 54 patients (46 men, 8 women; mean age, 42 years) who underwent isolated arthroscopic subdeltoid LHBT transfer to the conjoint tendon by a single surgeon with a minimum of 4 years follow-up were evaluated with American Society of Shoulder and Elbow Surgeons (ASES) and L'Insalata scores. A subset of patients was available for physical examination. At an average of 6.4 years postoperatively, ASES and L'Insalata scores were 86 and 85, respectively, corresponding to 88% of patients rated good to excellent. Twelve shoulders (10 from men patients, 2 from women patients; mean age 41 years; average follow-up, 6.3 years) underwent physical examination. Mean University of California, Los Angeles (UCLA) score was 31, and there were no significant differences in side-to-side elbow flexion strength or endurance using a 10-pound weight. One patient had a Popeye sign. There were no major complications reported in this cohort. Arthroscopic transfer of the LHBT to the conjoint tendon is a safe and durable intervention for chronic refractory biceps tendinitis. LEVEL OF  Level IV, therapeutic case series.