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Arthrosc Tech 2020 May 10;9(5):e611-e615. Epub 2020 Apr 10.

Department of Orthopaedics, Faculty of Medicine, Thammasat University, Pathumthani, Thailand.

Proximal tendinopathy of the long head of the biceps (LHB) is a common shoulder problem that requires surgical intervention, especially in patients with concomitant rotator cuff tears. The comparative results of biceps tenotomy and biceps tenodesis are still doubtful; both techniques show good to excellent results in terms of postoperative pain and functional outcomes. The described technique-all-arthroscopic LHB transfer-is an optional biceps tenodesis technique using all-arthroscopic soft-tissue tenodesis and arthroscopic suturing of the LHB to the short head of the biceps and coracoacromial ligament combined with release of the LHB from the bicipital groove. Read More

Orthop Traumatol Surg Res 2020 Jun 24;106(4):693-700. Epub 2020 May 24.

Department of Orthopedic Surgery, Onze Lieve Vrouwe Gasthuis, Amsterdam, P.O.Box 95500, 1090HM, Amsterdam. The Netherlands.

Background: Suprapectoral long head biceps (LHB) tenodesis and subpectoral LHB tenodesis are both commonly performed surgical procedures. Due to the more proximal position of the suprapectoral tenodesis site this technique may be accompanied with more postoperative pain in the bicipital groove and cramping pain in the biceps muscle. We hypothesized that subpectoral tenodesis is associated with a better clinical outcome than suprapectoral tenodesis. Read More

Arthroscopy 2020 Apr 20. Epub 2020 Apr 20.

Address: TSAOG Orthopaedics and the Burkhart Research Institute for Orthopaedics (BRIO), 400 Concord Plaza Dr., San Antonio, TX 78258.

Subpectoral biceps tenodesis of the shoulder may be a useful tool that can address a wide range of disorders in the setting of pathology of the long head of the biceps tendon. Primary indications include: (1) zone 2 or zone 3 tendon pathology and (2) failed previous proximal tendon tenodesis. Secondary indications include: (1) an overhead athlete or thrower, (2) chronic tendinopathy and (3) surgeon preference. Read More

J Shoulder Elbow Surg 2020 Jun 6;29(6):1289-1295. Epub 2020 Feb 6.

Division of Sports Medicine, Department of Orthopedic Surgery, NYU Langone Health, New York, NY, USA. Electronic address:

Background: Surgical options for pathology affecting the long head of the biceps tendon (LHBT) include tenotomy and tenodesis, both of which can be performed with a variety of fixation methods. This study aimed to compare surgical treatment options for LHBT lesions using a network meta-analysis of published clinical studies.

Methods: A systematic review of the literature was conducted in accordance with Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-analyses (PRISMA) guidelines. Read More

Eur Radiol Exp 2020 Feb 7;4(1):10. Epub 2020 Feb 7.

Department of Diagnostic and Interventional Radiology and Neuroradiology, University Hospital Essen, University Duisburg-Essen, Hufelandstr. 55, 45147, Essen, Germany.

Background: To evaluate feasibility and diagnostic performance of clinical 7-T magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) of the shoulder.

Methods: Eight patients with suspected lesions of the rotator cuff underwent 7-T MRI before arthroscopy. Image quality was scored for artifacts, B inhomogeneities, and assessability of anatomical structures. Read More

BMC Musculoskelet Disord 2019 Nov 9;20(1):522. Epub 2019 Nov 9.

Clinic of Trauma Surgery, University Medical Center Regensburg, Franz-Josef-Strauss-Allee 11, 93053, Regensburg, Germany.

Background: Simple tenotomy and anchor tenodesis are commonly used in treatment of long biceps tendon (LHB) pathologies. The tenotomy can result in biceps distalization or cosmetic deformities. A novel loop Tenodesis Technique (LTD) could prevent a distalization of the biceps muscle without the risk of implant associated complications. Read More

J Shoulder Elbow Surg 2019 Dec 6;28(12):2272-2278. Epub 2019 Sep 6.

Department of Orthopaedics, Hospital Beatriz Ângelo, Loures, Portugal.

Background: Our objective was to examine the clinical utility of old and new clinical tests directed to the long head of the biceps tendon (LHBT) and to quantify the importance of proper test interpretation.

Methods: A consecutive 65 patients scheduled to undergo arthroscopic surgery were selected. Before surgery, 5 clinical tests were performed: Speed, Yergason, upper cut, biceps resisted flexion (BRF), and modified BRF (mBRF) using a dumbbell. Read More

Folia Morphol (Warsz) 2020 26;79(2):395-401. Epub 2019 Aug 26.

Department of Orthopaedic and Trauma, District Hospital, Torun, Poland.

Background: Open or mini-invasive operative procedures are methods of choice in the treatment of the advanced degenerative process of tendinopathy of long head of biceps tendon (LHBT). Cosmetic arm deformity and fatigue are the main complaints after the surgery. Researchers have noticed that in some cases the typical cosmetic deformity is often barely noticeable and the pain is significantly reduced as it occurs after spontaneous LHBT rupture due to extremely advanced tendinopathy. Read More

Diagn Interv Imaging 2019 Jul - Aug;100(7-8):437-444. Epub 2019 Mar 8.

Service d'imagerie Guilloz, hôpital central, centre hospitalier universitaire de Nancy, 29, avenue du Maréchal de Lattre de Tassigny, 54035 Nancy, France.

Purpose: The purpose of this study was to determine the performance of CT arthrography for the diagnosis of intra-articular long head of biceps (LHB) tendon intrinsic lesions using arthroscopy findings as standard of reference.

Material And Methods: CT arthrography studies of 98 patients (55 men, 43 women; mean age 54.8±12. Read More

Arthroscopy 2019 01;35(1):9-10

The San Antonio Orthopaedic Group, San Antonio, Texas.

Arthroscopy 2019 01;35(1):8-9

University Hospitals Coventry & Warwickshire, Coventry, England.

J Back Musculoskelet Rehabil 2019 ;32(2):355-359

Department of Rehabilitation Medicine, Daegu Veterans Health Service Medical Center, Daegu, Korea.

Background And Objective: Calcific tendinitis is commonly found in the rotator cuff; however, it is very rare in the long biceps tendon (LBT). Furthermore, calcific tendinitis involving the LBT in the hemiplegic shoulder after a stroke has not been previously reported.

Materials And Method: We present a case of a 63-year-old man who suffers from a stroke and atypical calcific tendinitis involving the LBT as a rare cause of hemiplegic shoulder pain. Read More

Physiother Theory Pract 2020 Mar 22;36(3):397-407. Epub 2018 Jun 22.

Physical Therapy Program, University of Colorado, Aurora, CO, USA.

: To describe the outcomes of 10 patients with chronic biceps tendinopathy treated by physical therapy with the novel approach of dry needling (DN), eccentric-concentric exercise (ECE), and stretching of the long head of the biceps tendon (LHBT). : Ten individuals reporting chronic anterior shoulder symptoms (> 3 months), pain with palpation of the LHBT, and positive results on a combination of tests including active shoulder flexion, Speed's, Hawkins Kennedy, Neer, and Yergason's tests participated in this case series. Validated self-reported outcome measures including the mean numeric pain rating scale (NPRS) and Quick Disabilities of the Arm, Shoulder and Hand (QuickDASH) were taken at baseline. Read More

Arthroscopy 2018 06;34(6):1797-1798

New York, New York.

Bicipital tunnel disease is often unvisualized during standard diagnostic arthroscopy. Histolopathologic evidence of disease may be present even in the absence of magnetic resonance imaging findings. Surgical decision making is multifactorial. Read More

Prim Care 2018 Jun;45(2):289-303

Rheumatology Fellowship, San Antonio Uniformed Services Health Education Consortium (SAUSHEC), Uniformed Services University of the Health Sciences, San Antonio Military Medical Center, 3551 Roger Brooke Drive, San Antonio, TX 78234, USA.

Soft tissue musculoskeletal pain disorders are common in the primary care setting. Early recognition and diagnosis of these syndromes minimizes patient pain and disability. This article gives a brief overview of the most common soft tissue musculoskeletal pain syndromes. Read More

J Am Anim Hosp Assoc 2018 Jul/Aug;54(4):226-230. Epub 2018 May 14.

From the Royal Veterinary College, London, United Kingdom.

A 4 mo old German shepherd dog was presented following an acute onset lameness and swelling of the thoracic limb. Clinical signs, surgical findings, and culture results were consistent with a diagnosis of necrotizing fasciitis. Initial management consisted of extensive surgical debridement, wound lavage, and bandaging. Read More

Pain Med 2019 01;20(1):138-142

Division of Anatomy, University of Toronto, Toronto, ON, Canada.

Objective: Long head biceps tendon peritendinous or sheath injections are routinely administered at or immediately distally to the bicipital groove. The main indication for injection remains the clinical diagnosis or treatment of biceps tendinopathy, although true inflammation of the tendon within the bicipital groove is rare. Because the tendon sheath is merely an extension of the joint cavity, it is plausible to assume that an injection into the sheath would result in intraarticular spread. Read More

Arch Phys Med Rehabil 2018 04 12;99(4):615-622. Epub 2018 Jan 12.

Division of Sports Medicine, Drexel University College of Medicine, Philadelphia, PA.

Objectives: To determine (1) agreement of musculoskeletal ultrasound (MSK-US) findings of shoulder pathology and related shoulder special test results in individuals with varied durations of manual wheelchair (MWC) use after spinal cord injury (SCI); and (2) whether shoulder musculoskeletal impairments, per MSK-US and clinical examination, differed in individuals with SCI and varying durations of MWC use.

Design: Cross-sectional cohort study.

Setting: Laboratory setting. Read More

Folia Morphol (Warsz) 2018 24;77(2):378-385. Epub 2017 Oct 24.

Department of Orthopaedic Surgery, Multidisciplinary Hospital Inowrocław, Poland.

Background: Tendinopathy of the long head of the biceps brachii tendon (LHBT) is one of the most common, painful conditions of the anterior part of the shoulder and often coexists with rotator cuff tears. Multifactorial aetiopathology of tendi-nopathy is poorly understood; however, several studies indicated that it is seen predominantly in areas with decreased vascularity of the tissue; the pathology is also characterised by expansive and abundant neovascular in-growth. The aim of the study was to investigate the relationship between the neovascularisation of proximal part of the LHBT and pain along the bicipital groove. Read More

Int Orthop 2018 06 25;42(6):1347-1355. Epub 2017 Aug 25.

Université François Rabelais de Tours - Faculté de Médecine de Tours - CHRU Trousseau Service d'Orthopédie Traumatologie, 1C Avenue de la République, 37170, Chambray-les-Tours, France.

Introduction: The goal of this prospective study was to assess the reliability of pre-operative cross-sectional imaging for the diagnosis of long head of biceps (LHB) tendinopathy in patients with a rotator cuff tear.

Methods: Cross-sectional imaging with MRI or CT arthrography data from 25 patients operated upon because of a rotator cuff tear between 1 October 2015 and 1 April 2016 was analysed by one experienced orthopaedic surgeon, one experienced radiologist and one orthopaedic resident. The analysis consisted of determining whether the LHB was present, the extrinsic tendon abnormalities (dislocation, tendon coverage) and intrinsic abnormalities (fraying, inflammation, degeneration). Read More

J Shoulder Elbow Surg 2017 Aug 27;26(8):1416-1422. Epub 2017 Mar 27.

Department of Orthopaedics, Medical University of South Carolina, Charleston, SC, USA. Electronic address:

Background: Arthroscopic examination of the tendon has been described as the "gold standard" for diagnosis of tendinitis of the long head of the biceps (LHB). An arthroscopic finding of an inflamed and hyperemic LHB within the bicipital groove has been described as the "lipstick sign." Studies evaluating direct visualization in diagnosis of LHB tendinitis are lacking. Read More

Sci Rep 2016 12 12;6:38943. Epub 2016 Dec 12.

Department of Physical and Rehabilitation Medicine Hacettepe University Medical School, Ankara, Turkey.

Bicipital peritendinous effusion (BPE) is the most common biceps tendon abnormality and can be related to various shoulder ultrasonographic findings. Since the association of BPE with subacromial impingement is unclear, our study aimed to explore its association with the dynamic subacromial impingement test during ultrasound (US) imaging. We included 337 shoulders referred for US examinations and quantified the amount of BPE. Read More

Mil Med Res 2016 15;3:34. Epub 2016 Nov 15.

Department of Radiology, Imam Hospital, Tehran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran.

Background: Upper limb amputations are one of the unpleasant war injuries that armed forces are exposed to frequently. The present study aimed to assess the musculoskeletal and peripheral nervous systems in Iraq-Iran war veterans with bilateral upper extremity amputation.

Methods: The study consisted of taking a history and clinical examinations including demographic data, presence and location of pain, level of amputation, passive and active ranges of movement of the joints across the upper and lower extremities and spine, manual palpation, neurological examination, blood circulation pulses and issues related to a prosthetic limb. Read More

Knee Surg Sports Traumatol Arthrosc 2017 Jul 15;25(7):2114-2120. Epub 2016 Nov 15.

Division of Orthopaedics and Trauma Surgery, La Tour Hospital, Rue J.-D. Maillard 3, 1217, Meyrin, Switzerland.

Purpose: The purpose of this study was to analyse the relationship between long head of the biceps brachii (LHBT) lesions and subscapularis tears. The hypothesis was that a bicipital pulley might remain intact, even in the case of a subscapularis tear.

Methods: Between 2010 and 2011, all patients who had a primary arthroscopic repair of a subscapularis tear were potentially included in this prospective study. Read More

J Clin Diagn Res 2016 Jul 1;10(7):AC01-3. Epub 2016 Jul 1.

Professor, Department of Anatomy, Sri Ramachandra Medical College and Research Institute , Porur, Chennai, India .

Introduction: The Bicipital Groove (BG) is an indentation between the lesser and greater tubercles of the proximal part of the humerus. It conveys biceps tendon, its synovial sheath and ascending branch of anterior circumflex humeral artery. The knowledge of the morphometry is important for the understanding of the functional aspect of the shoulder region. Read More

J Can Chiropr Assoc 2016 Jun;60(2):175-81

Elite Sport Performance, Calgary, Alberta.

Objective: To present the assessment and conservative management of chronic shoulder pain in the presence of a humeral avulsion of the inferior glenohumeral ligament (HAGL) lesion in an active individual.

Clinical Features: A 47 year-old female office-worker with constant, deep, right shoulder pain with occasional clicking and catching claimed to have "tore something" in her right shoulder five years ago while performing reverse bicep curls. A physical exam led to differential diagnoses of a Superior Labrum Anterior to Posterior (SLAP) lesion, Bankart lesion, and bicipital tendinopathy. Read More

Ann R Coll Surg Engl 2016 Sep 31;98(7):e126-9. Epub 2016 May 31.

University Hospital of South Manchester , UK.

Introduction Lipoma arborescens is a rare condition of the synovial lining. It is particularly uncommon in the bicipitoradial bursae of the elbow. Case Report A 68-year-old woman presented with a 5-month history of anterior elbow pain and swelling causing discomfort. Read More

Am J Orthop (Belle Mead NJ) 2016 Feb;45(2):68-74

Department of Orthopedic Surgery, Rush University Medical Center, Chicago, IL.

Biceps tenodesis is a common procedure performed for tendinopathy of the long head of the biceps brachii (LHB). Indications include partial-thickness LHB tear, tendon subluxation with or without subscapularis tear, and failed conservative management of bicipital tenosynovitis. Biceps tenodesis may also be performed for superior labrum anterior to posterior tears. Read More

Am J Phys Med Rehabil 2016 Mar;95(3):161-8

From the Department of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation, National Taiwan University Hospital, Chu-Tung Branch, Hsinchu, Taiwan (C-YH); Department of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation, National Taiwan University Hospital, BeiHu Branch, Taipei, Taiwan (K-VC); Department of Physical and Rehabilitation Medicine, Hacettepe University Medical School, Ankara, Turkey (LÖ); and Department of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation, National Taiwan University Hospital and National Taiwan University College of Medicine, Taipei, Taiwan (T-GW, W-SC).

Objective: The purposes of this study were to determine the best cutoff value for bicipital peritendinous effusion (BPE) and to test its diagnostic performance as regards shoulders with and without rotator cuff pathology.

Design: We reviewed the sonographic reports of 1352 patients with suspected shoulder disorders between January 2011 and June 2012. The associations between BPE and rotator cuff abnormalities were explored by logistic regression and adjusted for age, sex, affected side, and clinical diagnosis of frozen shoulder. Read More

Knee Surg Sports Traumatol Arthrosc 2016 Dec 15;24(12):3765-3771. Epub 2015 May 15.

Department of Orthopedic Surgery, Onze Lieve Vrouwe Gasthuis, Amsterdam, The Netherlands.

Purpose: The objective of this meta-analysis is to compare clinical outcomes of tenotomy and tenodesis in the surgical treatment of long head of the biceps brachii (LHB).

Methods: A literature search was conducted in Embase and PubMed from 2000 to April 2014. All studies comparing the clinical outcomes between LHB tenotomy and tenodesis were included. Read More

Open Access J Sports Med 2015 10;6:63-70. Epub 2015 Mar 10.

The Cleveland Shoulder Institute, University Hospitals of Cleveland, Cleveland, OH, USA.

Background: Bicipital tendinitis is a common cause of anterior shoulder pain, but there is no evidence that acute inflammation of the extra-articular long head of the biceps (LHB) tendon is the root cause of this condition. We evaluated the histologic findings of the extra-articular portion of the LHB tendon and synovial sheath in order to compare those findings to known histologic changes seen in other tendinopathies.

Methods: Twenty-six consecutive patients (mean age 45. Read More

Orthopedics 2015 Jan;38(1):e48-53

The purpose of this study was to evaluate the outcomes of patients undergoing subpectoral biceps tenodesis for bicipital tendonitis with a superior labral anterior-posterior (SLAP) tear. Patients undergoing primary subpectoral biceps tenodesis for arthroscopically confirmed SLAP tears with signs or findings of bicipital tendonitis were included. An independent observer collected data prospectively as part of a data repository, which was then analyzed retrospectively. Read More

Orthopedics 2015 Jan;38(1):37-41

Long head of the biceps (LHB) tendon pathology is a common cause of pain in the shoulder. Pathology encountered includes biceps tendon tears and tendonitis, biceps anchor or superior labral tears, and biceps subluxation or instability. Current surgical treatment options for LHB disorders include tenotomy and tenodesis. Read More

Am J Sports Med 2015 Mar 12;43(3):570-8. Epub 2014 Dec 12.

Department of Orthopaedic Surgery, University of Virginia Health System, Charlottesville, Virginia, USA

Background: Tenodesis of the long head of the biceps tendon has become a popular surgical treatment option for patients with pain or instability attributed to a diseased or unstable biceps tendon. No previous studies have characterized the practice patterns of surgeons performing biceps tenodesis in the United States.

Purpose: To investigate current trends in both arthroscopic and open biceps tenodesis across time, sex, age, and region of the United States as well as associated charges. Read More

Am J Sports Med 2015 Jan 30;43(1):63-8. Epub 2014 Oct 30.

Shoulder & Elbow Clinic, Department of Orthopaedic Surgery, College of Medicine, Kyung Hee University, Seoul, Korea

Background: In biceps tenodesis for intra-articular tears, determining the distal extension of the lesions through the biceps groove is important in choosing the optimal tenodesis site.

Purpose: To determine the optimal tenodesis site by analyzing the extension and delamination of an extra-articular lesion, or a "hidden lesion," in the retrieved biceps after subpectoral biceps tenodesis.

Study Design: Case series; Level of evidence, 4. Read More

Arthroscopy 2014 Aug 25;30(8):942-6. Epub 2014 May 25.

Department of Orthopaedic Surgery, New York University Hospital for Joint Diseases, New York, New York, U.S.A.

Purpose: The long head of the biceps can develop tendonitis and tendinosis, which can lead to pain in the bicipital groove. The use of bicortical button fixation allows for a smaller defect in the humerus compared with tenodesis screws, reducing the risk of fracture. Our objective is to evaluate the exit location of our bicortical button and its relation to relevant posterior nervous structures. Read More

Orthop J Sports Med 2014 Feb 19;2(2):2325967114522198. Epub 2014 Feb 19.

Doctors Hospital of Columbus, Columbus, Ohio, USA.

Purpose: To (1) better define the anatomy of the proximal shoulder in relation to the long head of the biceps tendon, (2) compare the length-tension relationship of the biceps tendon in the native shoulder with that after arthroscopic and open tenodesis techniques using interference screws, and (3) provide surgical recommendations for both procedures based on study findings.

Study Design: Descriptive laboratory study.

Methods: Twenty fresh-frozen cadaveric shoulders were dissected for analysis. Read More

Ultrasound Med Biol 2014 Feb 7;40(2):313-21. Epub 2013 Dec 7.

Institute of Epidemiology and Preventive Medicine, National Taiwan University, Taipei, Taiwan; Department of Internal Medicine, National Taiwan University Hospital and National Taiwan University College of Medicine, Taipei, Taiwan. Electronic address:

Bicipital peritendinous effusion (BPE), a common ultrasonographic finding of the long head of the biceps tendon, may be associated with shoulder joint derangement, but supporting evidence from large-scale studies is lacking. The aim of this cross-sectional study was to determine the strength of the association between BPE and sonographic abnormalities of the shoulder joint. We reviewed the sonographic reports of patients with suspected shoulder disorders investigated ultrasonographically between January 2011 and January 2012. Read More

J Surg Orthop Adv 2013 ;22(3):245-8

Department of Orthopaedic Surgery, Wake Forest University School of Medicine, Winston-Salem, North Carolina.

This case report identifies a 41-year-old male patient who developed anterior shoulder pain in the setting of humeral head osteonecrosis. As a consequence of the cartilage degeneration, multiple loose bodies formed and migrated into the bicipital tendon sheath, causing attrition tendinitis, which was a feature of the clinical presentation. The patient was treated by a combination of arthroscopic glenohumeral joint debridement and open tenodesis of the biceps using a suture anchor. Read More

Am J Sports Med 2013 Dec 20;41(12):2919-24. Epub 2013 Sep 20.

Marc Tompkins, University of Minnesota, 2450 Riverside Avenue South, Suite R200, Minneapolis, MN 55454.

Background: Arthroscopic suprapectoral and open subpectoral surgical techniques are both commonly utilized approaches for proximal biceps tenodesis of the long head of the biceps brachii. A central limitation to the widespread use of an arthroscopic approach for biceps tenodesis is that the tendon may be tenodesed too proximally in the bicipital groove, leading to persistent pain and tendinopathy. Purpose/

Hypothesis: The purpose of this study was to determine the in vivo tenodesis location using arthroscopic suprapectoral and open subpectoral techniques for proximal biceps tenodesis in relation to clinically pertinent anatomic and radiographic landmarks. Read More

Knee Surg Sports Traumatol Arthrosc 2014 Feb 12;22(2):462-6. Epub 2013 Feb 12.

Department of Orthopaedic Surgery, University of Minnesota, 2450 Riverside Ave S #R200, Minneapolis, MN, 55454, USA.

Purpose: Arthroscopic biceps tenodesis surgery is an important procedure for the correction of biceps tendonitis or in conjunction with rotator cuff repair with biceps symptoms. Recent trends have developed in placing the biceps tendon lower in the bicipital groove for a tenodesis. However, a more distal biceps tenodesis location is technically challenging when carried out arthroscopically with standard posterior and lateral portals. Read More

J Am Anim Hosp Assoc 2012 Nov-Dec;48(6):405-10. Epub 2012 Oct 1.

Department of Veterinary Medicine, Pampa Federal University, Uruguaiana, Brazil.

Supraspinatus calcifying tendinosis is an uncommon finding in dogs. Although its radiographic appearance has been described previously, radiographs alone do not provide detailed information about the tendon parenchyma. Tendon ultrasonography has been widely applied for the diagnosis of human tendinosis, but it remains underused in dogs. Read More

Muscles Ligaments Tendons J 2012 Apr 10;2(2):133-6. Epub 2012 Sep 10.

Orthopaedic Clinic, Padua University, Italy.

Purpose: simple tenotomy in the treatment of long head biceps (LHB) lesion offers good results, as well as tenotomy/tenodesis.

Materials And Methods: we prospectively evaluated 252 patients, divided into 3 groups, treated with rotator cuff repair associated with LHB tenotomy or 2 different types of tenodesis in cases where there had been a partial lesion of the LHB or instability of the bicipital groove. We ascertained whether there was residual pain and the presence of the "Popeye sign" in the post-operative stage. Read More

Ultrasound Med Biol 2012 May 16;38(5):727-35. Epub 2012 Mar 16.

Orthopaedic Department, Medical College Affiliated Hospital of Chinese People's Armed Police Force, Tianjin, China.

Long bicipital tenosynovitis is regarded as one of the common causes of shoulder pain and dysfunction. The traditional therapeutic approach includes a variety of conservative treatments, but these treatments are not substantiated, owing to the lack of proven clinical efficacy. Radial extracorporeal shock wave therapy (rESWT) uses a pneumatically generated and radially propagating low-energy pressure pulse and has been clinically shown to be a new alternative form of treating refractory soft tissue inflammation. Read More

Top Spinal Cord Inj Rehabil 2012 ;18(1):77-8

Principle Investigator, Georgetown University School of Medicine, Department of Rehabilitation Medicine, National Rehabilitation Hospital , Washington, DC.

The purpose of study is to explore the efficacy and safety of platelet rich plasma (PRP) in the nonoperative management of shoulder tendinopathy amongst individuals with spinal cord injury. This objective was met by completing a pilot study on the effectiveness and safety of a PRP injection into the biceps tendon demonstrating clinical and ultrasonagraphic pathology. Recent analysis of the preliminary pilot data has demonstrated remarkably convincing results demonstrating both the safety and efficacy of this novel intervention. Read More

Ultrasound Med Biol 2011 Sep 20;37(9):1392-8. Epub 2011 Jul 20.

Department of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation, Taipei Medical University Hospital, Taipei, Taiwan.

Provocative tests are useful in diagnosing biceps tendon tendinitis. This is the first study to establish the reliability of these tests by comparing the resuts with musculoskeletal ultrasound (US) findings. This study examined 125 patients (69 women and 56 men) and 143 shoulders with shoulder pain. Read More

PM R 2011 Nov 25;3(11):1035-40. Epub 2011 Jun 25.

Department of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation, Mayo Clinic College of Medicine, Rochester, MN, USA.

Objective: To determine the accuracy of palpating the long head of the biceps tendon (LHBT) within the intertubercular groove with the use of ultrasonographic localization as a gold standard.

Design: Prospective, single-blinded pilot study.

Setting: Sports medicine clinic at a tertiary care academic institution. Read More

Radiographics 2011 May-Jun;31(3):791-810

Department of Radiology, Jichi Medical University School of Medicine, 3311-1 Yakushiji, Shimotsuke-shi, Tochigi-ken 329-0498, Japan.

The biceps pulley or "sling" is a capsuloligamentous complex that acts to stabilize the long head of the biceps tendon in the bicipital groove. The pulley complex is composed of the superior glenohumeral ligament, the coracohumeral ligament, and the distal attachment of the subscapularis tendon, and is located within the rotator interval between the anterior edge of the supraspinatus tendon and the superior edge of the subscapularis tendon. Because of its superior depiction of the capsular components, direct magnetic resonance arthrography is the imaging modality of choice for demonstrating both the normal anatomy and associated lesions of the biceps pulley. Read More