Proximal humerus open reduction internal fixation with and without biceps tenodesis: assessment of early clinical outcomes

Abstract

BackgroundThe role of biceps tenodesis (BT) during open reduction and internal fixation (ORIF) of proximal humerus fractures (PHF) remains unclear. A subset of patients undergoing ORIF have persistent pain with unclear etiology. The purpose of our study was to compare outcomes of ORIF of proximal humerus fractures with and without concomitant biceps tenodesis (BT). We hypothesize patients undergoing biceps tenodesis at the time of ORIF will have improved patient-reported outcome scores with fewer secondary procedures related to treatment of the biceps. MethodsIn this retrospective cohort study, all patients undergoing ORIF for a PHF at a single level one trauma center from January 2019 to June 2022 were reviewed. Patients under the age of 18 were excluded. Primary outcomes were PROMIS physical function, depression, and pain interference scores at 5 time points up to final follow-up. Secondary outcomes included total operative time, complications, subsequent procedures, steroid injections, and range of motion. Chi-square tests were performed for categorical values and paired t-tests for continuous variables. Results71 patients met inclusion criteria: 41 undergoing ORIF without BT, and 30 undergoing ORIF with BT. Average follow-up was 11 months. There were no statistically significant differences in patient demographics between groups. There were no differences in PROMIS scores at any time point postoperatively. At final follow-up patients in the ORIF with BT group had higher forward flexion than those who did not undergo BT (142 vs. 123 degrees, respectively, p < .02). There were no differences in surgical time, revision rates, postsurgical complications, or postoperative injections between groups. ConclusionBiceps tenodesis performed during ORIF of PHFs did not result in significantly different functional or patient-reported outcomes between groups, except for greater forward flexion at final follow-up. Although BT was done more commonly in severe PHFs, patients in both groups had similar rates of subsequent biceps-related procedures and revision surgery.