Evidence map›Paper›PMID 42128595›Full record

ArticleClinics in shoulder and elbow2026

The Popeye sign: beyond the bulge-a proposal for a standardized definition and classification.

Igor J Shirinskiy, Lotte Fokker, Michel Pj van den Bekerom, Bart Muller, Derek Fp van Deurzen

Abstract read
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In one paragraph

Article in Clinics in shoulder and elbow, 2026. The graph could read no effect estimate from its abstract, so it casts no vote on the map. Not yet cited in PubMed.

0numbers the graph read from it
0cells of the map it votes in
0citing papers in PubMed
–field-weighted citation impact
1 · What the graph read from it

What it found

Each row is one number read from the abstract, on the scale the paper reported it, with its interval. Left of the dashed line favours the treatment, right favours the comparator. Under each row is the sentence it came from. New to these charts? A ten-minute tutorial.

The abstract states no effect estimate the extractor could read, or names no intervention and outcome on the map, so this paper lights no cell and moves no belief. It is still indexed, cited and linked below.

2 · The registry

The trial behind it

Trials whose registry record cites this paper, or whose number appears in the abstract. A trial that started after this paper was published is citing it as background, not reporting it.

Neither the registry nor the abstract names a trial number. If this is a trial report, that itself is worth knowing.

3 · Its place in the literature

Who cites it

0 citing papers in PubMed.

No citing paper in PubMed yet.

4 · The record

Corrections and comments

PubMed lists nothing against this paper. Absence here is not a guarantee, only a check that was made.

5 · Who and what money

Authors and funding

5 authors.

Igor J ShirinskiyShoulder and Elbow Unit, Department of Orthopedic Surgery, OLVG, Amsterdam, the Netherlands. i.j.shirinskiy@olvg.nl.
Lotte FokkerShoulder and Elbow Unit, Department of Orthopedic Surgery, OLVG, Amsterdam, the Netherlands.
Michel Pj van den BekeromShoulder and Elbow Unit, Department of Orthopedic Surgery, OLVG, Amsterdam, the Netherlands.
Bart MullerXpert Clinics, Department of Orthopaedic Surgery, Amsterdam, the Netherlands.
Derek Fp van DeurzenShoulder and Elbow Unit, Department of Orthopedic Surgery, OLVG, Amsterdam, the Netherlands.

Funding

No grant is acknowledged in the PubMed record.

6 · The paper itself

Abstract

The Popeye sign is a classic eponym describing the cosmetic deformity following long head of the biceps tendon (LHBT) retraction. While frequently cited, its diagnosis remains subjective and standardized criteria are lacking. Muscle mass, body mass index, and surgical treatment of LHBT pathology as well as patient perceptions can all influence the prevalence and functional effect of the Popeye sign. This article reviews the historical origin of the eponym and its clinical relevance. Furthermore, we propose a novel, standardized diagnostic grading system to quantify the Popeye sign, facilitating more consistent reporting in future clinical research.

Indexed as

RuptureSigns and symptomsSkeletal muscleTendon injuriesTendons

Identifiers

PMID42128595
PMCPMC13268773

What OpenQuestion holds

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Registered trials

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Read under generation 80e0d062 · epoch 390. Bibliography from PubMed, PubMed Central and OpenAlex; grants from NIH RePORTER; trial links from ClinicalTrials.gov; estimates, votes and beliefs from the OpenQuestion graph.