Long head of the biceps intra-articular tenotomy using needle arthroscopy under local anesthesia: preliminary results and technical note

PURPOSE: Arthroscopic isolated biceps tenotomy is a procedure successfully performed in patients with degenerative rotator cuff tears which offers good clinical results. With this article, we describe the technique of biceps tenotomy with needle arthroscopy in local anesthesia and the results of first patients treated from 2018. METHODS: Thirteen patients with irreparable rotator cuff tear treated with arthroscopic needle biceps tenotomy under local anesthesia were included. Constant score and active/passive flexion were recorded preoperatively and at 3 months postoperatively. RESULTS: The average age of the patients was 71 ± 7 year old. All the patients were available for the follow-up. The Constant score significantly improved from pre- to postoperatively (44 ± 8.9 to 63.1 ± 14.2, p < 0.05). Active flexion improved from preoperatively 115 ± 24° to 145 ± 31° postoperatively (p < 0.05), while passive flexion did not significantly improve. CONCLUSION: This technique can be safely performed in the elderly patient with irreparable rotator cuff tears and pain refractory to conservative measures. SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: The online version contains supplementary material available at 10.1186/s40634-022-00508-5.