Biceps Tendinitis

Biceps Tendinitis

Biceps tendinitis happens when the tendon that connects the biceps muscle to the shoulder gets inflamed, causing pain and discomfort. This condition is especially common in people who do repetitive overhead activities, like lifting or throwing. The inflammation of the long biceps tendon head can lead to significant discomfort, particularly for athletes or individuals with active jobs. Understanding the causes, symptoms, and treatment options is key to managing this condition effectively. At Florida Medical Clinic Orlando Health, we offer personalized care, including physical therapy and medication, to help reduce shoulder pain and restore your mobility.

Anatomy and Function of the Biceps Tendon

The biceps muscle has two tendons connecting it to the shoulder blade and upper arm bone. The long head runs through a groove at the front of the shoulder joint (the bicipital groove) before attaching to the top of the shoulder socket. This tendon helps stabilize the shoulder joint and aids in arm rotation and bending.

The short head attaches to a part of the shoulder blade called the coracoid process, providing extra stability and strength to the biceps muscle. While both tendons can develop tendinitis, the long head is more prone due to its position and the stress it endures during overhead movements.

Causes and Risk Factors

Biceps tendinitis mainly results from overuse, often due to repeated motions that strain the tendon. Athletes who frequently use overhead arm movements, like in baseball, tennis, swimming, or golf, are more likely to develop this condition. These repetitive actions can lead to tiny tears and inflammation in the tendon.

Age-related changes in the tendon’s structure can also increase the risk of biceps tendinitis. As we age, the tendon may become more prone to wear and tear, making it easier to injure. Other contributing factors include shoulder instability, rotator cuff problems, and previous shoulder injuries.

Symptoms of Biceps Tendinitis

Individuals with biceps tendinitis typically experience a characteristic set of symptoms, including:

• Pain or tenderness in the front of the shoulder that may worsen with overhead activities or lifting heavy objects.
• Pain that spreads down the upper arm, often with a snapping or popping feeling in the shoulder.
• Limited range of motion and stiffness in the affected shoulder.
• Weakness when trying to lift or rotate the arm.

These symptoms can appear suddenly after a specific incident or activity or develop slowly over time due to repeated strain on the tendon.

Diagnosing and Treating Biceps Tendinitis

To diagnose biceps tendinitis, physicians start with a thorough physical exam. They check how well you can move your arm, how strong it is, and if there’s any pain or swelling. Sometimes, they might order imaging of your shoulder, like X-rays, ultrasounds, or MRIs. These help rule out other reasons for shoulder pain and confirm if you have tendinitis.

X-rays show the overall structure of your shoulder joint, while ultrasounds and MRIs give more detailed views of the biceps tendon and nearby soft tissues. These pictures can spot any unusual changes in the tendon or other shoulder problems.

Conservative Management Strategies

The initial treatment approach for biceps tendinitis typically involves a combination of conservative, non-surgical interventions, including:

1. Rest and Activity Modification: You’ll need to avoid or change activities that hurt your shoulder. This gives your tendon time to heal and prevents more injury.
2. Ice and Anti-inflammatory Medications: Cold packs and over-the-counter pain relievers can help with shoulder pain and swelling.
3. Physical Therapy: A key part of treatment is often a set of exercises to improve how your shoulder moves and works. These exercises also help strengthen the muscles around your shoulder.
4. Corticosteroid Injections: Sometimes, doctors will give you a steroid shot in your shoulder to temporarily relieve pain and swelling.

Surgical Interventions

If these first treatments don’t help enough or your tendon is badly damaged, you might need surgery. The main surgical options for biceps tendinitis are:

1. Biceps Tenodesis: In this surgery, the physician removes the damaged part of the biceps tendon and reattaches the healthy part to your upper arm bone. This helps restore proper function and stability.
2. Tenotomy: This involves cutting the damaged biceps tendon from where it’s attached. This allows the muscle to pull back and relieve tendinitis pain.

These surgeries are usually done with small cuts and special tools to minimize damage and help you recover faster.

Rehabilitation and Recovery

No matter what treatment you have, a good recovery plan is crucial. Physical therapy exercises help you regain full movement, strength, and proper use of your shoulder joint. These exercises also address any muscle imbalances or posture issues that might have contributed to your tendinitis.

The healing process can take anywhere from a few weeks to several months, depending on the severity of the injury and how well the patient responds to treatment. Most patients need to wear a sling or brace for a while to protect the healing tendon. After that, they slowly start doing exercises to improve movement and strength.

Preventing and Lowering Risk

Since biceps tendinitis often comes back, it’s important to take steps to prevent it. Here are some key ways to lower your risk:

• Warm-up and Stretch Properly: Before any physical activity, warm up your muscles and do specific stretches for your shoulder and biceps. This helps prepare your body for exercise.
• Gradual Increase in Activity Level: Instead of suddenly doing a lot more exercise, gradually increase the amount and intensity of your workouts. This gives your body time to adjust and helps prevent overuse injuries.
• Build Training: Do exercises that strengthen your shoulder and arm muscles. This can help make your shoulder joint more stable and resilient.
• Use Proper Form: Ensure you’re using the proper technique when playing sports or other physical activities. This helps reduce stress on your biceps tendon.

Find Relief from Biceps Tendinitis

Biceps tendinitis is a common shoulder problem that can make physical activities and everyday tasks difficult. With a thorough and proactive approach, most people with biceps tendinitis can regain full use of their shoulder and return to the activities they enjoy.

If you’re dealing with shoulder discomfort or possible biceps tendinitis, our team at Florida Medical Clinic Orlando Health is ready to help. We offer tailored care and diverse treatment options to help you feel better. Don’t hesitate to contact us for an appointment to start your journey to recovery today.

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