BICEPS TENODESIS
Treat Biceps Pain.
Restore Shoulder Function.
Biceps tenodesis is performed to treat painful biceps tendon disease, SLAP tears, and biceps-related shoulder pain by removing the damaged tendon from the shoulder joint and securing it in a more reliable position.
Biceps Tendon Pathology
Common causes include inflammation, tearing, instability, SLAP injury, and pain where the biceps tendon enters the shoulder joint.
Technique Reference →Front Shoulder Pain
Labral-Biceps Injury
Improved Shoulder Use
Protected Healing
What Is The Biceps Tendon?
The long head of the biceps tendon travels through the shoulder joint and can become a significant source of pain. When the tendon is inflamed, unstable, torn, or attached to a painful SLAP tear, it may continue to cause symptoms despite therapy, injections, or activity modification.
Common Symptoms
- Front shoulder pain
- Pain with lifting or reaching
- Pain with curls or resisted elbow flexion
- Clicking or catching in the shoulder
- Pain associated with SLAP tears
Common Reasons For Surgery
- Biceps tendinitis
- Partial biceps tendon tearing
- Biceps instability
- SLAP tears
- Biceps pain combined with rotator cuff disease
How Biceps Tenodesis Works
During biceps tenodesis, the diseased portion of the tendon is removed from the shoulder joint and the tendon is fixed to the upper arm bone. This reduces pain from the damaged intra-articular tendon while preserving useful biceps contour and function.
Goals Of Surgery
- Reduce biceps-related shoulder pain
- Treat associated SLAP pathology
- Preserve shoulder and elbow function
- Allow return to activity
- Address associated shoulder pathology when present
Associated Procedures
- Rotator cuff repair
- Shoulder arthroscopy
- Labral treatment
- Subacromial decompression when appropriate
- Evaluation of cartilage and joint surfaces
Recovery After Biceps Tenodesis
Recovery focuses on protecting tendon fixation while restoring shoulder motion and gradually returning to strengthening. Restrictions vary depending on whether biceps tenodesis is performed alone or combined with rotator cuff repair or other shoulder procedures.
Early Phase
Protect fixation and control pain and swelling.
Motion Phase
Restore shoulder motion while avoiding excessive biceps stress.
Strength Phase
Gradual strengthening begins once healing allows.
Return Phase
Progressive return to lifting, work, golf, training, and recreation.