Suprapectoral Biceps Tenodesis for Isolated SLAP Tears in Competitive Athletes Yields High Return to Sport Rates: Prospective Cohort Study of 50 Athletes.

Abstract

Introduction: Surgical treatment of isolated SLAP tears has traditionally been SLAP repair, however, persistent pain, low return to sport rates and biological healing issues have led to newer treatment options. Biceps tenodesis has recently shown lower post-operative pain scores, higher return to sport and better functional outcome scores compared to SLAP repairs. The purpose of the present study was to assess the functional outcomes and return to sport for athletes undergoing suprapectoral biceps tenodesis.

Methods: Institutional ethics approval was obtained from the institutional ethics review board prior to initiation of the study. Athletes presenting to the shoulder clinic with clinical and radiological evidence of isolated SLAP tears were recruited for the study prospectively between January 2023 and October 2023. Patients were assessed using functional outcome measures (UCLA and Constant scores) and pain measure (VAS score) for six months duration. Return to sport and return to sport at pre-injury level were also assessed.

Results: Pain and functional outcome scores improved significantly over the study duration with maximal improvement in the first three months post-surgery approaching near maximum scores. Between the third and six-month follow-up a plateau phase is described. All patients returned to sport after surgery with average RTS at 5.2 ± 1.1 months post-surgery with 82% returning to sport at a pre-injury level.

Conclusion: Biceps tenodesis is a safe and reproducible procedure for the treatment of isolated SLAP tears in athletes. The present study, the first of its kind for Indian athletes, shows that biceps tenodesis has excellent functional outcomes and a high rate of return to sport.