Long Head of the Biceps Tenodesis With Cortical Button Technique

Abstract

There are several options for long head of the biceps (LHB) tenodesis and yet no standard of care. This technical note describes a cortical button technique for LHB tenodesis. We have taken the BicepsButton (Arthrex, Naples, FL) for distal biceps acute primary repair and applied it to the LHB. The biceps tenotomy is completed arthroscopically, and a standard subpectoral approach is used. The biceps is pulled out and whipstitched starting at the myotendinous junction and moving proximally. The humerus is drilled in a unicortical manner slightly larger than the tendon, and the button is passed through a small hole to the posterior cortex. A suture through the tendon provides additional fixation strength to the construct. This is an elegant and effective method of tenodesis that uses a smaller-diameter drill hole in the humerus. The goals of LHB tenodesis are to restore function, reduce pain, and improve cosmesis. This technique offers comparable function and cosmesis with the potential advantage of improving postoperative pain outcomes and lowering the rate of complications.