Partial Articular Supraspinatus Tendon Avulsion Repair and Patch: A Technical Note for Augmenting the Supraspinatus Reinsertion with the Long Head of the Biceps Tendon

Abstract

BackgroundThere is no clear consensus on the treatment of partial articular‐sided supraspinatus tendon avulsions. Debridement alone might not be sufficient to prevent further tendon degradation or alleviate patient complaints. Direct repair using a suture anchor without treating the concomitant conditions of the long head of the biceps tendon might come with residual anterior shoulder pain or even further loss of function in cases of failed repair. The purpose of the present study is to describe an arthroscopic technique by which the long head of the biceps tendon can be included in the partial articular‐sided supraspinatus tendon avulsion repair.Technique Presentation with videoIn this technical note we describe the arthroscopic repair and augmentation with tenotomized biceps of partial supraspinatus tendon tears to address three main concepts for successful rotator cuff repairs, namely rotator cuff biologic augmentation, tendon to bone healing and postoperative pain prevention.ConclusionThe biceps tendon is a mechanically robust, locally available autograft that can be used in borderline partial articular‐sided supraspinatus tendon avulsions in order to biologically augment healing at the tendon‐bone interface without any immunogenic reactions or morbidity following harvesting.

Anterior Labral Reconstruction With Biceps Autograft for Anterior Shoulder Instability

“… 3 Recent interest in the biceps tendon as a source of autograft in shoulder surgery has resulted in descriptions of biceps for augmentation for superior capsule reconstruction 4 , 5 and rotator cuff repair. 6 , 7 , 8 , 9 A recent cadaveric study confirms that use of the biceps for anterior glenoid labrum reconstruction can restore stability to the glenohumeral joint. 10 A technique for utilization of the biceps for anterior labral reconstruction has been described by Acar et al.…”

Dynamic Anterior Stabilization with Hill‐Sachs Remplissage Can be Employed in Skeletally Immature Patients—Operative Technique

“…The paradigm shift from biceps tenotomy to surgical reconstruction using the long head of the biceps has to be properly documented and be scientifically proven with long term follow up and randomized studies before being adopted in general practice. 34 , 35 , 36 …”