Biceps tenodesis safe and reproducible procedure for treatment of isolated SLAP tears in athletes: study

Written By : Dr Supreeth D R Published On 2025-10-05T20:00:24+05:30 | Updated On 6 Oct 2025 11:21 AM IST

Surgical treatment of isolated SLAP (Superior Labrum Anterior to Posterior) 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.

Manit Arora et al conducted a study to assess the functional outcomes and return to sport for athletes undergoing suprapectoral biceps tenodesis. It has been published in ‘Indian Journal of Orthopaedics.’

Athletes presenting to the shoulder clinic with clinical and radiological evidence of isolated SLAP tears were recruited for the study prospectively. 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.

The key findings of the study were:

• Forty-two patients (84%) were male and eight patients were female.

• Twenty-nine patients (58%) were over the age of 25 years and 42% were below the age of 25 years.

• Majority of players being in contact sports (50%) or overhead throwing sports (38%).

• 65% of players had a dominant hand injury and 35% of players had a non-dominant hand injury.

• 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.

• No significant complications were reported.

The authors concluded - ‘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.’

MBBS, Dip. Ortho, DNB ortho, MNAMS

Dr Supreeth D R (MBBS, Dip. Ortho, DNB ortho, MNAMS) is a practicing orthopedician with interest in medical research and publishing articles. He completed MBBS from mysore medical college, dip ortho from Trivandrum medical college and sec. DNB from Manipal Hospital, Bengaluru. He has expirence of 7years in the field of orthopedics. He has presented scientific papers & posters in various state, national and international conferences. His interest in writing articles lead the way to join medical dialogues. He can be contacted at editorial@medicaldialogues.in.