
Dr. AJ Julka
Shoulder, Elbow, Wrist, Hand
“My husband and I both have had all of our knees replaced. My husband also has had both of his shoulders replaced by an EXPERT doctor and surgeon in his field of joint replacements!! He’s professional, kind, cordial, polite, respectful, trustworthy and a wonderful doctor! He takes his time talking with you and explaining things to you. He always puts you first and wants to make sure your comfortable with your surgery and after care.” — Kathy G.
The biceps muscle is located in the front of the upper arm, with the upper portion attaching to the front of the shoulder, and the lower portion attaching to the forearm. The biceps muscle is often used for activities such as lifting, pulling, reaching, throwing, and twisting of your forearm. Overuse of the biceps in these kinds of activities can result in biceps tendinopathy, and sometimes even tears in the upper biceps tendon.
Biceps tendinopathy refers to tendinitis and fraying of the biceps that can result in pain and tenderness in the region. This condition is frequently diagnosed incorrectly, as it is often confused with rotator cuff tendinopathy. Today, we will go into further detail regarding the causes, signs, and symptoms of biceps tendinopathy, along with the effective methods used for treatment and recovery.
Biceps tendinopathy is typically caused due to overuse of the biceps tendon through activities such as throwing, swimming, gymnastics, golf, tennis, or martial arts. Individuals who have jobs that require heavy lifting, carpentry, and overhead work are also at risk for biceps tendinopathy. It is most commonly seen in people between the ages of 18 and 35.
Biceps tendinopathy is rarely seen in isolation, as it often coexists with other shoulder pathologies, such as rotator cuff impingement syndrome, rotator cuff tears, labral tears, SLAP lesions, and shoulder osteoarthritis.
The symptoms of biceps tendinopathy typically consist of:
Doctors typically use plain radiography (X-ray), ultrasonography, and magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) to diagnose the condition.
Treatment methods for biceps tendinopathy typically focus on reducing inflammation and swelling, strengthening the muscle, and preventing tendon rupture from occurring. In the majority of cases, surgery is not required. Listed below are some of the treatment methods that we use regularly for biceps tendinopathy here at JIS Orthopedics:
There is no set time for recovery from biceps tendinopathy, as it varies based on the severity of your condition. Depending on your situation, your doctor will discuss your goals, time frames, and training schedules to optimize a recovery method best suited for you. Once you are able to move your arm in all directions without pain, it is safe to slowly ease back into your everyday activities and sports.
If you are experiencing any of the symptoms mentioned above, then you may have biceps tendinopathy. If so, it is important to make sure that you get a proper diagnosis and begin treatment in the early stages, before it results in a complete tear or another worsened condition. That’s why JIS Orthopedics is here to help. Give us a call today and begin your road to recovery with us!
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