Subcutaneous rupture of the tendon of the long head of the biceps brachii in subacromial impingement syndrome.

Ruptures of the long head of the biceps brachii are mostly of degenerative nature, secondary to subacromial impingement and morphological changes in the bicipital groove. Clinical findings are typical. Treatment is controversial, as it may either be surgical or non-surgical. The authors considered only those cases in which tendinous rupture was the first manifestation of pathology caused by wearing, with typical deformity of the profile of the arm. The favorable results of surgical treatment in 14 patients aged from 38 to 70 years, followed-up after an average of 10.9 years, are reported. Among surgical methods used, tenodesis at the bicipital groove currently constitutes the method of choice.