Patient-Related Factors and Complications After Arthroscopic Tenotomy of the Long Head of the Biceps Tendon

Background: Tenotomy of the long head of the biceps tendon (LHBT) has been reported to provide reliable pain relief and require little postoperative rehabilitation. Complications such as cosmetic deformity, decrease in elbow flexion strength, decrease in supination strength, and fatigue discomfort have been reported after tenotomy of the LHBT.Purpose: To evaluate the complications of arthroscopic tenotomy of the LHBT in the shoulder–specifically, cosmetic deformity, decreased elbow flexion strength, and a cramplike arm pain–and to identify the patient-related factors that affect the rate of complications after tenotomy, such as, age, sex, involvement of the dominant arm, and body mass index (BMI).Study Design: Case series; Level of evidence, 4.Methods: In sum, 132 patients were evaluated. They had a mean age of 63 years (range, 26 to 82 years) at the time of surgery and a mean follow-up of 21 months (range, 12 to 53 months). The presence of so-called Popeye deformity, a cramplike arm pain at resisted elbo...