Biceps Tenodesis vs. Repair for Type II SLAP Tears in Patients Under 30 years-old

OBJECTIVES: Recent literature has demonstrated good results with biceps tenodesis (BT) following failed SLAP repair. However, it is still unclear if repair or BT provides better outcomes for treatment of type II SLAP tears. We hypothesize that treatment of type II SLAP tears with subpectoral biceps tenodesis vs SLAP repair improves functional outcomes while providing for shorter rehabilitation times. METHODS: A retrospective chart review was conducted for patients under 30 who underwent an open subpectoral biceps tenodesis or primary SLAP repair performed from Jan 1, 2007 to Jan 1, 2014. Patients were contacted and asked to fill out a questionnaire over the phone or via email. American Shoulder and Elbow Score (ASES), visual analog pain scale (VAS), demographics, and subsequent ipsilateral surgical procedures were collected. RESULTS: 55 patients underwent primary BT and 398 patients underwent primary SLAP repair during included period. 33 BT patients (60%) were successfully contacted, these were age and follow-up matched with 33 randomly selected SLAP repair patients. Average age was 25.7 and 26.4 for the SLAP and BT groups, respectively. Follow up averaged 3.5 years for the BT group and 5.1years for the SLAP group. Two patients in the BT group (6%) had a subsequent ipsilateral procedure compared to 5 in the SLAP group (15%), OR 2.78 (p=0.24). Average VAS scores (2.2 BT vs 2.8 SLAP) and ASES Scores (80.9 BT vs 71.7 SLAP) were both improved in the patients who underwent BT vs. primary SLAP repair. CONCLUSION: Superior labrum injuries are a common cause for shoulder pain. Our results suggest that primary biceps tenodesis provides improved functional results in active patients under 30 when compared to SLAP repair at minimum 2 year follow-up.