Muscle strength following surgical repair after rupture of the long biceps tendon by refixation to the short head.

Operative treatment for ruptures of the long biceps tendon still is discussed controversially. In the present literature surgical repair is advised for sporting and high demand patients due to favourable functional results and low loss of strength. Until now only few objective and reproducable results were published. In the present literature the keyhole-technique is recommended due to favourable bio-mechanical conditions. To evaluate postoperative strength 19 patients were investigated after an average follow-up of 6,5 years, by clinical examination and isokinetic measurement. Compared with the non-operated shoulder isokinetic determination of isometric maximal peak torque and strength during concentric stress for elbow-flexion, shoulder-abduction and shoulder-flexion yeld to almost identical results for the operated shoulder. According to the criterias of the Constant-Score all patients achieved very good and good results. Refixation to the short head can be advised for treatment of ruptures of the long biceps tendon due to the certain technique with a low complication rate and very good functional outcome.