Biceps tenotomy vs tenodesis

[KingoftheNorth14]

Went to see orthopedic doctor shoulder specialist today after 4 or 5yrs post slap tear in labrum. My bicep tendon to labrum tear has never recovered after several cortisone injections and more than 3 months of physical therapy. I’ve had pain ever since and also have some arthritis and bone spur that needs to be shaved down on my collar bone.

The doctor really recommends the Tenotomy for my age if I can deal with some potential disfigurement. He also cannot predict the severity of the potential deformity, “Popeye arm.” The surgery and healing is quick. He said about 2wks and I’ll be back in the gym.
However if I have any self consciousness about the potential for deformity he recommend doing the Tenodesis. He also noted that I may likely lose a little range of motion and the risk of tearing it again is high with the heavy weight training putting me right back to where I am now. The recovery time is 12-16wks.

Fuck me! I had a back surgery, L5/S1 fusion in January, then an appendectomy end of May, now staring at another surgery…my year is gonna be shot for lifting and even thinking of running a cycle. I was looking forward to a good cycle this fall and if I do the surgery I’m not interested in missing out on anymore boating season this year so I would wait till at least Sept. I’m considering and researching both options but I’ve had several people already object to the Tenotomy bc of the high potential for the deformity.

Anybody out there have any experience on this matter? I’d be very interested to know how everything went. I also welcome anyone else’s opinions on this subject. Thanks gents!

 

[liftsiron]

I'm not to sure that much can be corrected after five years except for the bone spur. I have a labrum tear in my right upper bicep tendon and was advised not to do anything because of possible loss of movement. I have a severe bicep tear in my left bicep, I waited a couple months to see the surgeons, they siad that I waited to long
to reattach it. I have some deformity in both biceps but it seems that my strength hasn't suffered to much.

 

[KingoftheNorth14]

I'm not to sure that much can be corrected after five years except for the bone spur. I have a labrum tear in my right upper bicep tendon and was advised not to do anything because of possible loss of movement. I have a severe bicep tear in my left bicep, I waited a couple months to see the surgeons, they siad that I waited to long
to reattach it. I have some deformity in both biceps but it seems that my strength hasn't suffered to much.

Thank you for your input Sir! I do understand I may loss some ROM by going thru with the repair as opposed to the quick fix. The doc did say I will not lose any strength from quick repair just the potential for deformity. I just want you o be out of pain. It only gets worse as I get older.

I have read that some who opted into the quick repair tenotomy get cramps in the bicep much more frequently when lifting. Literature says the potential for deformity is about 30% but the doc said it’s probably more than that and can’t/wont give me any opinions on the potential for and the severity of post op deformity.