• Clinics in Shoulder and Elbow
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• v.18 no.2
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• pp.96-101
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• 2015

In general, the long head of the biceps brachii originates from the superior glenoid labrum and the supraglenoid tubercle, crosses the rotator cuff interval, and extends into the bicipital groove. However, rare anatomic variations of the origins of the long head have been reported in the past. In this report, we review the clinical history, radiologic findings, and arthroscopic identifications of 3 anatomic variants of the biceps tendon long head. As the detection of long head of biceps tendon pathology during preoperative radiologic assessment can be difficult without prior knowledge, surgeons should be aware of such possible anatomic variations.

• The Journal of Korean Orthopaedic Ultrasound Society
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• v.8 no.1
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• pp.31-37
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• 2015

Lesion of long head of biceps tendon is one of the causes making an anterior shoulder pain. According to the anthropometric study of the bicipital groove the meanings of the width, depth and the medial wall angle were suggested. Confirming the images and location of the long head of biceps tendon itself would be helpful in diagnosis.

• Clinics in Shoulder and Elbow
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• v.21 no.2
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• pp.87-94
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• 2018

Background: Popeye deformity is common after rupture of the biceps muscle's long head tendon. Herein, we report on histological changes in biceps brachii muscles following tenotomy of the long head biceps tendon. Methods: Twelve Sprague-Dawley rats (12-week-old) underwent tenotomy of the long head biceps tendon in the right shoulder. At postoperative weeks 4, 7, and 10, the operative shoulders were removed by detaching the biceps brachii muscle from the glenoid scapula and humerus; the opposite shoulders were removed as controls. H&E staining was performed to elucidate histological changes in myocytes. Oil-red O staining was performed to determine fatty infiltration. Myostatin antibody immunohistochemistry staining was performed as myostatin is expressed by skeletal muscle cells during myogenesis. Results: H&E staining results revealed no changes in muscle cell nuclei. There were no adipocytes detected. Compared with that of the control biceps, the cross-sectional area of the long head biceps was significantly smaller (p=0.00). Statistical changes in the total extent of the 100 muscle cells were significant (p=0.00). Oil-red O staining revealed no fatty infiltration. Myostatin antibody immunohistochemical staining revealed no significant difference between the two sides. Conclusions: Muscular changes after tenotomy of the long head biceps included a decrease in the size of the individual muscle cells and in relative muscle mass. There were no changes observed in muscle cell nuclei and no fatty infiltration. Moreover, there were no changes detected by myostatin antibody immunohistochemistry assay.

• PNF and Movement
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• v.18 no.1
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• pp.127-132
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• 2020

Purpose: This study aimed to investigate the impact of resistance on the muscle activities of the long and short heads of the biceps brachii, according to the elbow angle in supination, and the difference in muscle activity between the long and the short heads. Methods: This study was conducted with 22 men in their 20s who voluntarily agreed to participate. With the glenohumeral joint neutral in a position of supination, the elbow angle was randomly moved to 0°, 30°, 60°, and 90°. Using an 8-channel surface EMG while the participants held a 2-kg. dumbbell, the muscle activities of the long and the short heads of the biceps brachii were measured. The measured data were statistically processed using SPSS for Windows 12.0. For the activities of the short and the long heads according to the angle, a one-way ANOVA was conducted, and subsequently, to check the results of an analysis of the difference between groups, an LSD post-hoc test was conducted. An independent t-test was used to compare the activities of the long head and the short head according to the angles. Results: The analysis of the impact of the load of the dumbbell at each elbow angle on the muscle activities of the long and short heads of the biceps brachii revealed significant differences in both heads (p < 0.05). The result of the post-hoc analysis showed significant differences in both heads at angles between 0° and 30°, between 0° and 60°, and between 0° and 90°. Analysis of the impact of the load of the dumbbell in supination on the muscle activities of the long and short heads showed a significant difference at the angle between 0° and 30° (p < 0.05). Conclusion: The long head of the biceps brachii mainly acts in supination; however, in supination at elbow-bending angles of 60° and 90°, there was no difference in muscle activity between the short head and the long head.

• Clinics in Shoulder and Elbow
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• v.17 no.4
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• pp.194-196
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• 2014

A ganglion is a benign cystic mass, commonly found around a joint or tendon sheath. It frequently occurs at the wrist, foot, ankle, and knee. Intratendinous ganglion has been rarely reported, and intratendinous ganglion of the long head of biceps brachii is extremely rare. According to our literature review, this is the third case of intratendinous ganglion of the long head of biceps brachii, and the first case of arthroscopic treatment. Therefore we report a case of an arthroscopic treatement for an intratendinous ganglion of the long head of biceps brachii.

• Journal of the Korean Arthroscopy Society
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• v.14 no.3
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• pp.188-191
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• 2010

Absence of long head of biceps tendon is a very rare anomaly. We encountered a 19 year-old male patient who had right shoulder subluxation. On magnetic resonance imaging, shallow intertubercular groove on right humerus was observed, and absence of long head of biceps tendon was discovered. Arthroscopically, labral rupture and absence of long head of biceps tendon were also evident. Left shoulder had a similar symptom as right 5 months after the initial development of the symptom on the right shoulder. Both MRI and arthroscopy revealed absence of long head of biceps tendon and labral ruptre. Arthroscopic labral repair was performed for both shoulders, and, postoperatively, they were fixated with abduction brace. In this case, it is considered that the absence of long head of biceps tendon triggered the instability of shoulder found in our patient.

• Clinics in Shoulder and Elbow
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• v.26 no.4
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• pp.366-372
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• 2023

Background: There is minimal literature on the morphology of partial distal biceps tendon (DBT) tears. We sought to investigate tear morphology by retrospectively reviewing 3-Tesla magnetic resonance imaging (3T MRI) scans of elbows with partial DBT tears and to propose a basic classification system. Methods: 3T MRI scans of elbows with partial DBT tears were retrospectively reviewed by two experienced observers. Basic demographic data were collected. Tear morphology was recorded including type, presence of retraction (>5 mm), and presence of discrete long-head and short-head tendons at the DBT insertion. Results: For analysis, 44 3T MRI scans of 44 elbows with partial DBT tears were included. There were 9 isolated long-head tears (20%), 13 isolated short-head tears (30%), 2 complete long-head tears with a partial short-head tear (5%), 5 complete short-head tears with a partial long-head tear (11%), and 15 peel-off tears (34%). Retraction was seen in 5 or 44 partial tears (11%), and 13 of the 44 DBTs were bifid tendons at the insertion (30%). Conclusions: Partial DBT tears can be classified into five sub-types: long-head isolated tears, short-head isolated tears, complete long-head tears with partial short-head involvement, complete short-head tears with partial long-head involvement, and peel-off tears. Classification of tears may have implications for operative and non-operative management. Level of evidence: III.

• PNF and Movement
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• v.21 no.1
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• pp.47-52
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• 2023

Purpose: This study aims to examine the functional difference in the long and short heads of the biceps brachii by investigating the onset time of muscle contractions in the biceps brachii in the supination motion according to whether the flexor of the elbow joint is excluded. Methods: This study was conducted with 21 healthy men aged in their 20s. While performing forearm pronation at an elbow flexion angle of 90 degrees, the onset time of muscle contractions in the long and short heads of the biceps brachii was measured and compared in a posture where the humerus is placed on a table and the posture is lifted against gravity. Using an independent samples t-test, the difference in the onset time of muscle contractions in the long and short heads of the biceps brachii was analyzed. Results: The onset time of the long head was shorter if the flexor activity of the elbow joint was excluded, while that of the short head of the biceps brachii was shorter if it was not excluded. Conclusion: It is noted that the long head of the biceps brachii mainly functions as a supinator muscle, while the short head of the biceps brachii plays a role in stabilizing and maintaining flexion of the elbow joint.

• Clinics in Shoulder and Elbow
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• v.17 no.3
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• pp.107-113
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• 2014

Background: Sonoelastography (SE) is a new technique that can assess differences in tissue stiffness, the purpose of this study was to evaluate the ability of SE to assess the long head of biceps tendon alteration. Methods: Forty shoulders of 36 consecutively registered patients with clinical symptoms and conventional ultrasonography findings of biceps tendinitis or tendinosis, and 40 asymptomatic shoulders of 20 healthy volunteers were assessed with SE. Transverse and longitudinal images of long head of biceps tendon were obtained using SE. SE images were performed by one orthopedic surgeon and evaluated by two orthopedic surgeons using an experimentally proven color grading system. Results: The transverse images of SE showed a sensitivity of 87.5%, a specificity of 95.0% and a accuracy of 91.3%, the longitudinal images of SE showed a sensitivity of 92.5%, a specificity of 90.0% and a accuracy of 91.3%. Inter-observer reliability of SE was in 'almost perfect agreement' with a weighted kappa coefficient of 0.83. Conclusions: SE is valuable in the detection of the intratendinous and peritendinous alterations of biceps tendon, and has excellent accuracy and excellent correlation with conventional ultrasound findings.

• Clinics in Shoulder and Elbow
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• v.15 no.2
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• pp.148-153
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• 2012

Various biceps tenodesis techniques being used, make it difficult to compare the result of reports. First, the biceps tenodesis could be classified according to being performed by open incision or by the arthroscopic procedure. Second, it could be classified as a soft tissue and bony tenodesis according to the tissue which the long head of biceps is fixed with. Third, it could be classified as a proximal and distal tenodesis according to the location which the long head of biceps is fixed with. Fourth, it could be classified according to the implant (interference screw, suture anchor, knotless suture anchor). A decision should be suspended until an appropriate strength of tenodesis is revealed.