Title: Dislocation of the Long Head of Biceps Tendon
Authors: M. Lucas Gambill, DO, Timothy S. Mologne, MD, and Matthew T. Provencher, MD, Department of Orthopedic Surgery, Naval Medical Center San Diego, San Diego, CA 92134-1112, Journal of Shoulder and Elbow Surgery/American Shoulder and Elbow Surgeons
Introduction: Subscapularis tendon tears, rotator cuff tears and impingement syndrome are often connected with the dislocation of the long head of the biceps tendon. This case specifically is unique because the tendon of the subscapularis was not torn. This may imply that the injury was to the rotator cuff muscles; possibly the superior glenohumeral and coracohumeral ligaments. Typical cases of the dislocation of the long head of biceps tendon include a tear in the subscapularis…show more content… Specifically, this case increases awareness of the mechanism of how the tendon of the long head of biceps is dislocated.
Case Description: The patient was a 29 year-old man who was right hand dominant. He presented with a two year history of left shoulder instability and pain. It was reported by the patient that a traumatic load from a teletype machine fell down a stairwell onto his left shoulder. This force caused his limb to adduct and internally rotate. Afterward, the patient complained of popping of the joint, nocturnal paresthesia, and persistent pain. He was given conservative treatment, which included physical therapy and anti-inflammatory agents,that were nonsteroidal, did not improve his condition. At the patients initial examination it was found that there was no deformity of the shoulder join or any obvious atrophy. His range of motion was normal and symmetric with his unaffected shoulder. A small compression of the anterior humeral head, a posterior labral tear, dislocation of the long head