Biceps Tenodesis Of The Shoulder | Orthopaedic Associates

What is Biceps Tenodesis of the shoulder?

Biceps Tenodesis of the shoulder is a specific kind of surgery that repairs a tear in the tendon connecting your biceps to your shoulder. It might be performed by itself or as part of a larger shoulder surgery procedure.

What are the symptoms that indicate I might need this?

Symptoms of a torn bicep may be immediate or may intensify over time due to repetitive shoulder motions. They might include:

A sudden, severe pain in your upper arm that might also include a snapping sound
Cramping of your bicep muscle after or during heavy use
Pain and a tender feeling in your shoulder or elbow
Bruising from the center of the bicep muscle down to the elbow
Difficulty rotating your arm into a palm up or down position
A noticeable bulge in your upper arm

How do I Prepare for Biceps Tenodesis of the Shoulder?

You will likely be given a topical medicine to clean your skin. It should be used a few days before the surgery. The performing surgeon will likely tell you what medicines you can and cannot take before surgery and you will be told not to eat or drink after midnight on the surgery date.

What are the Types of Biceps Tenodesis of the Shoulder?

This type of surgery may be performed arthroscopically or open.

Open Surgery

An open surgery will involve one large incision as well as several small ones.

Arthroscopic Surgery

The arthroscopic surgery will employ several small incisions.

What are the Risk/Potential Complications of Biceps Tenodesis of the Shoulder?

Complications from this type of surgery are fairly rare. Any surgery carries the risk of infection, bleeding and negative reactions to anesthesia. If you have the surgery as part of a larger operation on the shoulder, the complications that could occur include nerve injury in the shoulder, stiff shoulder or shoulder joint cartilage damage.

What Happens During the Treatment/Surgery?

This type of surgery takes place with general anesthesia. If done through small incisions, the surgeon will use a scope to look inside the shoulder first before performing the surgery. During the actual procedure, a screw or other anchoring device will be inserted into the upper arm bone and then the long end of the biceps will be clipped and sewed onto the screw.

What Happens During Recovery/Rehabilitation?

The recovery timeline is fairly lengthy for this surgery and you will need a lot of rest and physical therapy. You will also need to wear a sling for up to a few weeks. After about three months, you start to recover arm function and strength. You will have a passive range of motion after one or two weeks.

What Is The Outlook Of This Surgery?

The outlook of this surgery is generally very good with as much as 95 percent of patients having pain relief and improved muscle function.

Dr. Hessing Orthopedic Surgeon

Orthopedic Specialists

Jeffrey Hessing, MD and Timothy Doerr, MD have a passion for helping others. They have a combined 50 years of orthopedic excellence dedicated to the people of the Boise area. All of our surgeons are board certified by the American Board of Orthopaedic Surgery.

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