Long head of biceps tendon pathology: management alternatives.

The role of biceps tendon as a source of shoulder pain and pathology has been well documented in orthopedic literature. Recently, interest in the long head of the biceps tendon has been renewed as its association with subscapularis lesions, superior labral anterior to posterior (SLAP) lesions, rotator cuff pathology, impingement, and pulley or "hidden" lesions of the rotator interval are demonstrated. Advances in imaging and arthroscopy have increased our breadth of knowledge about the anatomy, pathology, and role of the biceps tendon. Management and treatment methods have evolved with improved patient selection and proper diagnosis of long head biceps pathology.