The biceps muscles, situated on the anterior (front) side of the humerus (upper arm bone), are important for flexing the elbow and rotating the wrist and forearm. The upper portion of the biceps muscle is secured to the top of the shoulder by the long head of the biceps tendon and the short head of the biceps tendon. The long head of the biceps tendon, which passes through the bicipital groove of the humerus and is attached directly to the superior labrum, is more frequently involved in a biceps tendon injury. A biceps tendon injury occurs when this tendon becomes frayed or torn away from its attachment site. This injury is typically the result of a direct impact to the shoulder, chronic use from athletic activities, or inflammation of the tendon caused by repetitive shoulder use.
Most patients may benefit from treatment with conservative therapies such as rest, ice, and non-steroidal anti-inflammatory medications (NSAIDs). However, surgical intervention may be necessary if conservative therapy is unsuccessful or patients experience more severe pain and cramping. The goal of surgically reconstructing the biceps tendon is to reduce any irritation caused by repetitive overhead activities. The biceps tendon can be surgically repaired through a process where small damaged fragments of the tendon are removed, known as debridement; or, performing biceps tenodesis where a large damaged portion of the tendon is removed and the remaining tendon is secured in a new position on the humerus. Dr. Frank McCormick, orthopedic shoulder doctor, treats patients in Orlando, Palm Beach County, and surrounding Florida communities, who have experienced a biceps tendon injury and are in need of surgical repair.
While the biceps tenodesis procedure is more commonly performed as part of a larger shoulder surgery, it can also be conducted on its own. Once the patient is stable under general anesthesia, a number of small incisions are created surrounding the shoulder joint. A small camera (arthroscope) and sterile solution are introduced for Dr. McCormick to clearly examine the shoulder joint structures. Specialized surgical instruments are then inserted to remove the damaged tissue fragments of the biceps tendon. The remaining healthy tendon is released from its attachment site on the shoulder, known as biceps tenotomy, and fastened to a new position on the humerus. Dr. McCormick can anchor the biceps tendon to the humerus using one of the following techniques:
The minimally invasive biceps surgery typically results in faster recovery times; however, the tendons and other soft-tissue structures in the shoulder joint will still take the same amount of time to heal. The majority of patients can expect a functional range of motion within 4 to 6 months, with continued improvement in shoulder strength and range of motion for a year or more following biceps surgery. Patients in Orlando, Palm Beach County, and the surrounding Florida communities can expect the following as part of the recovery process:
For more information on shoulder labrum and SLAP tear repairs, or to discuss your shoulder labrum treatment options, please contact the office of Frank McCormick, MD, orthopedic shoulder doctor serving Orlando, Kissimmee, Palm Beach County, Florida, and the surrounding areas.
