Abstract:

Objective To compare the clinical effects of arthroscopic tenotomy and tenodesis of biceps tendon combined with rotator cuff repair in treating medium and large rotator cuff tears with long head of biceps tendon（LHBT）injury. Methods Forty ⁃ five patients who received tenotomy and tenodesis of biceps tendon combined with rotator cuff repair were retrospectively analyzed. They were divided into tenotomy group（25 cases） and tenodesis group（20 cases）. Before operation and 1 year after operation，the range of motion（ROM），Visual analogue scale（VAS）score，UCLA score and Constant ⁃Murley score were used to evaluate the treatment effect. One year after operation，the condition of rotator cuff healing was evaluated using MRI，meanwhile the incidence of Popeye deformity and muscle strength weakness of biceps tendon was assessed. Results Forty⁃five cases were followed up for 1 year. ROM，VAS score，UCLA score and Constant⁃Murley score in both groups 1 year after opera⁃ tion were significantly better and higher than those before operation（P < 0.05）. No significant difference in terms of ROM，VAS score，UCLA score and Constant⁃Murley score was found between the 2 groups 1 year after operation （P > 0.05），while the tenodesis group required a longer surgical time（P < 0.05）. The groups also did not differ in incidence of rotator cuff retear，Popeye deformity，elbow flexion and forearm supination muscle strength weakness （P > 0.05）. Conclusions Both tenodesis and tenotomy of biceps tendon combined with rotator cuff repair can achieve satisfactory clinical effects，leading to similar incidence of Popeye deformity，elbow flexion and forearm supination muscle strength weakness. Tenotomy of biceps tendon requires shorter surgical time，which makes it a simpler and more economical option.

Key words:

rotator cuff tears, arthroscopy, long head of biceps tendon, tenodesis, tenotomy