Biceps Tendonitis and Strain

What is biceps tendonitis and strain?

An injury to a muscle or tendon is called a strain. When tendons are inflamed it is called tendonitis. Tendons are connective tissue bands that attach muscles to bones. The biceps muscle is located in the front part of the upper arm. The biceps tendons attach the muscle to the elbow and in two places at the shoulder. When the biceps tendons are inflamed it usually causes pain in the front part of the shoulder or upper arm.

How does it occur?

Biceps tendonitis occurs from overuse of the arm and shoulder or from an injury to the biceps tendon. A biceps strain can occur when the arm is pulled in a sudden awkward motion or from overuse.

What are the symptoms?

You feel pain when you move your arm and shoulder, especially when you move your arm forward over shoulder height. You feel pain when you touch the front of your shoulder or during certain activities, such as throwing.

How is it diagnosed?

Your healthcare provider will examine your arm and shoulder for tenderness along the biceps muscle and biceps tendons. He or she will check for pain with movement and check the strength of your biceps.

How is it treated?

Treatment may include:

• Placing ice packs on your shoulder for 20 to 30 minutes every 3 to 4 hours for 2 or 3 days or until the pain goes away.
• Taking anti-inflammatory medicine. Adults aged 65 years and older should not take non-steroidal anti-inflammatory medicine for more than 7 days without their healthcare provider's approval.
• Getting an injection of a corticosteroid medicine to reduce the inflammation and pain.
• Doing rehabilitation exercises.

How long will the effects last?

The length of recovery depends on many factors such as your age, health, and if you have had a previous injury. Recovery time also depends on the severity of the injury. A mild injury may recover within a few weeks, whereas a severe injury may take 6 weeks or longer to recover. You need to stop doing the activities that cause pain until the tendon has healed. If you continue doing activities that cause the tendon pain, your symptoms will return and it will take longer to recover.

Some serious strains of the biceps may involve tearing of the attachment of the tendon inside the shoulder joint. These injuries usually have persistent pain and weakness. Be sure to follow-up with your provider if your injury does not get better. Surgery may be needed.

When can I return to my normal activities?

Everyone recovers from an injury at a different rate. Return to your activities will be determined by how soon your tendon recovers, not by how many days or weeks it has been since your injury has occurred. In general, the longer you have symptoms before you start treatment, the longer it will take to get better. The goal of rehabilitation is to return you to your normal activities as soon as is safely possible. If you return too soon you may worsen your injury.

You may safely return to your normal activities when:

• Your injured shoulder has full range of motion without pain.
• Your injured shoulder has regained normal strength compared to the uninjured shoulder.

How can I prevent biceps injury?

You can best prevent a biceps injury by doing a proper warm-up and stretching exercises for your arm and shoulder before your activity.