Background: Morphologic changes and instability in the long head of biceps (LHB) have been considered as one possible cause of damage of rotator interval structures. However, there have seldom been studies about the relationship between lesions of LHB and the morphology of biceps groove (BG). The purpose of this study was to classify the morphology of BG in rotator cuff tears by 3DCT and to evaluate LHB changes in form with arthroscopy.
Methods: We retrospectively studied 59 cases who had arthroscopic rotator cuff repair performed. The average age at operation was 66.2 years old. We evaluated the morphology of BG by preoperative 3DCT. And then, we assessed the relationship of the morphology of BG and the tear size, LHB changes.
Results: We classified the morphology of BG into 5 types. Type 1 (no change): 33 shoulders, Type 2 (lateral wall spur): 9 shoulders, Type 3 (medial wall spur): 3 shoulders, Type4 (lateral and medial wall spur): 7 shoulders, Type5 (lateral and medial wall spur): 7 shoulders. The tear size was significantly smaller in Type1 and larger in Type5. Rotator cuff tears involving the subscapularis tendon in type5 were significantly more than in type1. Complete tear of LHB in type4 was significantly more than in type1. Instability of LHB in type5 was significantly more than in type1.
Conclusion: There was a relationship between lesions of LHB and the morphology of BG. Complete tears of LHB were frequently found in type4, and instability of LHB in type5.
