Medial Biceps Sling Takedown May Be Necessary to Expose an Occult Subscapularis Tendon Tear

With a systematic approach to diagnosis, including a thorough history, physical examination, advanced imaging, and arthroscopic evaluation, most subscapularis tendon tears may be readily discovered. Occult tears, on the other hand, may escape arthroscopic detection if a high index of suspicion and c...

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Bibliographic Details
Main Authors: Robert U. Hartzler, M.D., M.S., Stephen S. Burkhart, M.D.
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: Elsevier 2014-12-01
Series:Arthroscopy Techniques
Online Access:http://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S2212628714001108
Description
Summary:With a systematic approach to diagnosis, including a thorough history, physical examination, advanced imaging, and arthroscopic evaluation, most subscapularis tendon tears may be readily discovered. Occult tears, on the other hand, may escape arthroscopic detection if a high index of suspicion and certain intraoperative examination steps are lacking. We describe an occult tear pattern in which a subscapularis tendon tear was completely hidden by an intact medial biceps tendon sling. Takedown of the sling, which was expendable because a tenodesis was planned, was required to expose this occult tear. Awareness of occult subscapularis tear patterns makes diagnosis and repair possible.
ISSN:2212-6287