Defining biceps chondromalacia: An arthroscopic descriptive study

Background Biceps chondromalacia (BCM), an attritional lesion on the humeral head, can occur from abrasion of the long head of biceps tendon (LHBT). Aim Describe the spectrum of BCM as seen arthroscopically in symptomatic biceps-labrum complex (BLC) disease and discuss its potential clinical implications. Methods A retrospective observational study was conducted of a consecutive cohort of patients with symptomatic BLC disease who underwent a soft tissue biceps tenodesis procedure (arthroscopic transfer of the LHBT to the conjoint tendon) or biceps tenotomy over a two-year period. Results Sixty-eight patients underwent a procedure for symptomatic BLC disease, with a mean age of 56 years, of which 72% were male. Of these patients, 51.5% ( n = 35) were found to have BCM, with 37.1% ( n = 13) of lesions being junctional, 54.3% ( n = 19) being medial, and 8.6% (n = 3) being found to have both medial and junctional BCM. All patients with LHBT incarceration ( n = 5) demonstrated medial BCM. Discussion BCM is a common arthroscopic finding in patients with chronic BLC symptoms. BCM is typically identified in two distinct locations, medial and/or junctional. Routine evaluation for BCM on diagnostic arthroscopy should be performed in patients with suspected BLC disease.