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The majority of patients return to athletic activity following biceps tenodesis

  • Shoulder
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Knee Surgery, Sports Traumatology, Arthroscopy Aims and scope

Abstract

Purpose

Biceps tenodesis is widely used as a primary treatment for long head of the biceps brachii pathology and superior labral anterior and posterior (SLAP) lesions. However, rates and timing of full return to sports (RTSs)/duty have not been systematically analysed. This systematic review examines the literature to ascertain the rate and timing of return to athletic activity, and the availability of specific criteria for safe return to atheletic activity following the biceps tenodesis.

Methods

Based on PRISMA guidelines, this systematic review utilised the EMBASE, MEDLINE, and The Cochrane Library Databases. Eligible for inclusion were clinical studies reporting on return to athletic activity following biceps tenodesis. Statistical analysis was performed using SPSS.

Results

This review identified 17 studies including 374 cases meeting the inclusion criteria. The majority of patients were men 260 (69.7%), with an median age of 42.2 years (range 16–88) and a mean follow-up of 37.4 months. The overall rate of RTS was 217/269 (80.7%), with 43/59 (72.9%) returning to the same level. In overhead athletes, the overall rate of return to play was 39/49 (79.6%). Among military personnel, the overall rate of return to duty was 61/74 (82.4%). The average time to RTS was 5.4 (range 3–11) months. 10 (58.8%) Studies reported a recommended time window within which patients were allowed to return to full activity. Specific criteria for return to play were not reported in any of the identified studies.

Conclusion

While overall rate of return to athletic activity was reportedly high following biceps tenodesis, one in four patients were not able to resume athletic activity at the same level. At present, there is no objective assessment of when patients can return to full activity reported in the literature.

Level of evidence

IV.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Waterford University Hospital, Waterford, Ireland

    J. Tristan Cassidy

  2. Sports Surgery Clinic, Dublin, Ireland

    E. T. Hurley, D. Moore, L. Pauzenberger & H. Mullett

Authors
  1. J. Tristan Cassidy
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  2. E. T. Hurley
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  3. D. Moore
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  4. L. Pauzenberger
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  5. H. Mullett
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Correspondence to J. Tristan Cassidy.

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Ethical approval not required for a systematic review.

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Cassidy, J.T., Hurley, E.T., Moore, D. et al. The majority of patients return to athletic activity following biceps tenodesis. Knee Surg Sports Traumatol Arthrosc 29, 216–222 (2021). https://doi.org/10.1007/s00167-020-05930-9

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