Shoulder · Rotator cuff & tendons
Biceps tenodesis
Biceps Tendinitis / Biceps Tendon Tear at the Shoulder — Shoulder Arthroscopy with Open Biceps Tenodesis
The condition
The long head of the biceps tendon runs through a groove at the front of the shoulder and attaches inside the joint at the top of the socket. It can become inflamed, frayed, partly torn, or unstable in its groove, causing pain at the front of the shoulder with lifting, reaching, and overhead use.
The surgery
This is a typically outpatient surgery. The joint is first examined with a camera through small incisions, and frayed or inflamed tissue is cleaned up. The damaged part of the biceps tendon is then released and reattached to the arm bone through a small incision near the armpit (biceps tenodesis). The final plan is determined during surgery.
Recovery at a glance
- Sling
- Typically 2–4 weeks, weaned as comfort allows. Shoulder motion starts right away with no set limits.
- Daily life
- Desk work often within 1–2 weeks. For 6 weeks: no lifting or carrying with the surgical arm and no forceful elbow bending or forearm twisting (such as opening jars). No driving while taking narcotic pain medication.
- Lifting & overhead
- Biceps strengthening starts ~6 weeks with very light weight and builds gradually. Unrestricted lifting is generally not before 3 months.
- Sports
- Full return to sports and heavy work typically between 3 and 6 months, once strength matches the other side.
A general guide. Your restrictions and timeline may change based on what is found and done at surgery.
Risks & benefits
Benefits: Most patients have less pain at the front of the shoulder and return to full use of the arm. Risks are uncommon and include infection, blood clots, cramping or a change in the shape of the biceps, failure of the reattachment, tenderness at the new attachment site, fracture of the arm bone (rare), injury to nearby structures (such as nerves, blood vessels, or cartilage), stiffness, persistent pain, and the need for further surgery. These will be reviewed with you in detail before surgery.
Patient Surgical Information
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Before & after every surgery