This study evaluates the position of the long
head of biceps tendon using ultrasound following simple tenotomy,
in patients with arthroscopically repaired rotator cuff tears. In total, 52 patients with a mean age of 60.7 years (45 to 75)
underwent arthroscopic repair of the rotator cuff and simple tenotomy
of the long head of biceps tendon. At two years post-operatively,
ultrasound revealed that the tendon was inside the bicipital groove
in 43 patients (82.7%) and outside in nine (17.3%); in six of these
it was lying just outside the groove and in the remaining three
(5.8%) it was in a remote position with a positive Popeye Sign.
A dynamic ultrasound scan revealed that the tenotomised tendons
had adhered to the surrounding tissues (autotenodesis).The initial
condition of the tendon influenced its final position (p <
0.0005).
The presence of a Popeye sign was statistically influenced by the
pre-operative co-existence of supraspinatus and subscapularis tears (p
<
0.0001). It appears that the natural history of the tenotomised long head
of biceps tendon is to tenodese itself inside or just outside the
bicipital groove, while its pre-operative condition and coexistent
subscapularis tears play a significant role in the occurrence of
a Popeye sign.
We report the long-term clinical and radiological outcomes of the Aequalis total shoulder replacement with a cemented all-polyethylene flat-back keeled glenoid component implanted for primary osteoarthritis between 1991 and 2003 in nine European centres. A total of 226 shoulders in 210 patients were retrospectively reviewed at a mean of 122.7 months (61 to 219) or at revision. Clinical outcome was assessed using the Constant score, patient satisfaction score and range of movement. Kaplan-Meier survivorship analysis was performed with glenoid revision for loosening and radiological glenoid loosening ( Younger patient age and the curettage technique for glenoid preparation correlated with loosening. The rate of glenoid revision and radiological loosening increased with duration of follow-up, but not until a follow-up of five years. Therefore, we recommend that future studies reporting radiological outcomes of new glenoid designs should report follow-up of at least five to ten years.