title: Biomechanical properties of tenotomy versus biceps knot in a cadaver model.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Biceps tenotomy and biceps tenodesis are the primary methods of treating biceps pathology. This study describes a new technique of tenotomy with the goal of autotenodesis to give the biceps a higher load to failure and decreased chance of a Popeye deformity.
  
  
  OBJECTIVE
  The purpose of this study was to evaluate the strength of the "biceps knot", which is an outlet tenodesis of the biceps tendon and compare the biomechanical properties of this technique to tenotomy.
  
  
  METHODS
  Ten matched cadaver shoulder pairs were used. In the tenotomy group, an arthroscopic tenotomy was performed at the labral biceps junction using a narrow angled biter. For the biceps knot group, a self-retrieving suture passing device was used to pass a suture as far lateral as possible. The suture was passed from just distal to the biceps insertion on the superior labrum and tied with a standard non-sliding arthroscopic knot. The humerus and biceps tendon were rigidly fixed to a materials testing machine and cyclically loaded at 10-20 N for 100 cycles at 1 Hz. After cyclic testing, a 2 N preload was placed on the tendon and the tendon was pulled in line with the bicipital groove until failure.
  
  
  RESULTS
  The peak load to failure for the biceps knot was 58.9 N (SEM 8.2 N) and 37.3 N (SEM 4.6 N) for the tenotomy group (p = 0.046). The average stiffness for the biceps knot group was 4.2 N/mm (SEM 0.4 N/mm) and 3.2 N/mm (SEM 0.2 N/mm) for the tenotomy group (p = 0.031).
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Performing the biceps knot is a quick, easy and cost effective alternative to the current tenodesis options available.
authors.affiliation: Detroit Medical Center Sports Medicine, United States; Detroit Medical Center Sports Medicine, Orthopaedic Surgery Sports Medicine Fellowship Program, United States.
authors.forename: Micah
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Lissy
authors.affiliation: Detroit Medical Center Sports Medicine, United States.
authors.forename: Amanda
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Esquivel
authors.affiliation: Detroit Medical Center Sports Medicine, United States.
authors.forename: Allison
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Cracchiolo
authors.affiliation: Detroit Medical Center Sports Medicine, United States; Detroit Medical Center Sports Medicine, Orthopaedic Surgery Sports Medicine Fellowship Program, United States.
authors.forename: Stephen
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Lemos
keywords: Biceps knot; Biceps tenodesis; Purse string knot; Tenotomy