Document Detail


Accuracy of Palpating the Long Head of the Biceps Tendon: An Ultrasonographic Study.
MedLine Citation:
PMID:  21705296     Owner:  NLM     Status:  Publisher    
Abstract/OtherAbstract:
OBJECTIVE: To determine the accuracy of palpating the long head of the biceps tendon (LHBT) within the intertubercular groove with the use of ultrasonographic localization as a gold standard. DESIGN: Prospective, single-blinded pilot study. SETTING: Sports medicine clinic at a tertiary care academic institution. PARTICIPANTS: Twenty-five male and female asymptomatic volunteers ages 24-41 years (mean, 30.9 ± 4.3 years) with body mass indices of 19.3 to 36.3 kg/m(2) (23.84 ± 4.8 kg/m(2)). METHODS: Three examiners of differing experience (a sports medicine board-certified staff physician, a sports medicine fellow, and a physical medicine and rehabilitation resident) identified the LHBT location in the intertubercular groove via palpation on a subject in the supine position and marked its location by taping an 18-gauge Tuohy needle to the skin overlying the groove. The examiner order was randomized. A fourth examiner who was blinded to the palpation order assessed the previous examiner's palpation accuracy by comparing the needle position to the sonographically determined tendon position. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: Needle placement in relation to the intertubercular groove was graded as being within the groove, medial to the groove, or lateral to the groove. In the latter 2 cases, the distance from the needle to the closest groove edge was recorded. RESULTS: Overall accuracy rate was 5.3% (4/75), ranging from 0% (0/25) for the resident to 12% (3/25) for the fellow (P ≤ .007 for interexaminer differences). All missed palpations were localized medial to the intertubercular groove by an average of 1.4 ± 0.5 cm (range, 0.3 for the fellow to 3.5 cm for the resident). CONCLUSION: Based on the current methodology, clinicians have a tendency to localize the intertubercular groove medial to its actual location. Consequently, clinicians should exercise caution when relying on clinical palpation to either diagnose a biceps tendon disorder or perform a bicipital tendon sheath injection. When clinically indicated, sonographic guidance can be used to accurately identify the LBHT within the intertubercular groove.
Authors:
Gregory P Gazzillo; Jonathan T Finnoff; Mederic M Hall; Yusef A Sayeed; Jay Smith
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Publication Detail:
Type:  JOURNAL ARTICLE     Date:  2011-6-24
Journal Detail:
Title:  PM & R : the journal of injury, function, and rehabilitation     Volume:  -     ISSN:  1934-1563     ISO Abbreviation:  -     Publication Date:  2011 Jun 
Date Detail:
Created Date:  2011-6-27     Completed Date:  -     Revised Date:  -    
Medline Journal Info:
Nlm Unique ID:  101491319     Medline TA:  PM R     Country:  -    
Other Details:
Languages:  ENG     Pagination:  -     Citation Subset:  -    
Copyright Information:
Copyright © 2011 American Academy of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation. Published by Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.
Affiliation:
Department of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation, Mayo Clinic College of Medicine, Mayo Clinic, Rochester, MN (†).
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