The incidence of pathologic changes of the long head of the biceps tendon

Abstract

The incidence of primary and secondary bicipital tendinitis remains unknown. In our prospective study, 200 consecutive shoulders underwent arthroscopic subacromial decompression for impingement syndrome. A biceps tenodesis was performed in 80 shoulders (40%) featuring macroscopic degeneration of the long head of the biceps; rotator cuff tears were apparent in 91% of these shoulders, the mean patient age being 55 years. In each of 120 shoulders (60%), an extraarticular tenosynovectomy was performed, and histopathologic studies revealed chronic inflammation in 63% and fibrotic degeneration in 13% of the specimens; rotator cuff tears were evident in 70% (23% full thickness) of these cases, the mean patient age being 47 years. In addition, when glenohumeral arthritis was present, it was uniformly associated with pathologic biceps tenosynovium. In summary, the high incidence of chronic inflammation of the long head of the biceps in shoulders with benign-appearing intraarticular portions viewed arthroscopically is significant, and long head of the biceps disease should also be considered in patients with painful rotator cuff disease and arthritic shoulder conditions.