Biceps Tenodesis Surgery Specialist Q&A

Bicep tenodesis surgery is a common surgery to help repair the biceps tendon. Biceps tenodesis surgery is typically used when the biceps tendon causes pain in and around the shoulder caused by inflammation, wear and tear or injury. Injury can happen easily from overuse as well as aging. The surgery can also be used in rotator cuff or torn shoulder injuries, the kind of injuries sustained by athletes such as swimmers, gymnasts and golfers.

The many different forms of this surgery are all done with general anesthesia, and often include these two techniques, soft tissue and hardware fixation.

Soft tissue techniques include:

-One keyhole procedure
Surgeons create a keyhole opening in the humerus, using tiny instruments, then stitch up the rolled-up end of the bicep into place.

-Pitt technique
Surgeons will use two needles to develop an interlocking technique of sutures to then tie the tendon to a shoulder ligament.

Hardware fixation techniques include:

-Screw fixation technique
Surgeons will create a small hole at the top of the arm bone, then place one end of the cut tendon in it, secure the tendon by screwing it into the bone.

-Endobutton technique
Surgeons will attach the tendon to a button that they slide into a hole located at the top of the arm bone.

The technique differs for each patient, depending on the severity of their injury and exactly what has been injured.

Recovery for bicep tenodesis surgery takes place in a few stages. Usually for the first 4 to 6 weeks, the patient will need to wear a sling to restrict any usage of the treated arm and allow the tissues to heal.

After the 6-week healing period, patients are then allowed to begin to expand their range of motion and is done under the guidance of a physical therapist.

Complete recovery after bicep tendon surgery can take up to 20 weeks. Each recovery will be tailored to help each patient return to their daily activities or individual sports.

The recovery from bicep tenodesis surgery will often depend on the following:

-Severity of the original injury itself
-Presence of any other injuries
-Age of the patient
-Health of the patient
-Whether rehabilitation is followed correctly

Tendons attach muscles to bones. If a tear occurs in the bicep tendon you will begin to experience an immense amount of pain in the shoulder area. Once a bicep tendon is torn it cannot reattach to the bone and will need surgery to help it heal in place.

Biceps tenodesis is considered a minor surgery, however it could be labeled as major surgery if anesthesia is used. There are limited risks to this type of surgery, and the outlook for our patients is good. Biceps tenodesis surgery is a great alternative to other surgeries that run the risk of major incisions that can affect the patient for longer periods of time.

If you have any questions about our bicep tenodesis surgery, call our office today to speak to one of our experienced and trained staff. We are happy to answer any questions you may have regarding this surgery.  We serve patients from Gallatin TN, Nashville TN, Castalian Springs TN, LaGuardo TN, Cottontown TN, and Graball TN.