Management of Proximal Biceps Pathology in Overhead Athletes: What Is the Role of Biceps Tenodesis?

Overhead throwing is a common causative factor in disorders of the proximal biceps in athletes. In recent years, arthroscopic repair of unstable superior labral tears or biceps tendonitis involving the long head of the biceps tendon anchor has become the standard of care. However, in some cases, superior labrum anterior-posterior (SLAP) repair requires additional evaluation and even revision surgery, which contributes to patient dissatisfaction. Differentiating overall biceps tendonitis from superior labral tears alone can be a challenge. More recently, biceps tenodesis has been suggested as a potential option for the treatment of SLAP lesions in overhead athletes. This option is controversial, and data on return to play in overhead athletes are scant.