Bicipital tendinopathy – Causes & Treatment
Bicipital tendinopathy is inflammation of the tendon around the long head of the biceps muscle. Bicipital tendinopathy is caused by degeneration of the tendon from athletics requiring overhead motion or from the normal aging process. Inflammation of the biceps tendon in the bicipital groove, which is known as primary biceps tendinitis, occurs in 5 percent of patients with biceps tendinitis. Bicipital tendinopathy and tendinosis are commonly
accompanied by rotator cuff tears or SLAP (superior labrum anterior to posterior) lesions. Patients with biceps tendinitis or tendinosis usually complain of a deep, throbbing ache in the anterior shoulder. The repetitive overhead motion of the arm initiates or exacerbates the symptoms.
Local anesthetic injections into the biceps tendon sheath may be therapeutic and diagnostic. Ultrasonography is preferred for visualizing the overall tendon, whereas magnetic resonance imaging or computed tomography arthrography is preferred for visualizing the intraarticular tendon and related pathology. Conservative management of biceps tendinitis consists of rest, ice, oral analgesics, physical therapy, or corticosteroid injections into the biceps tendon sheath. Surgery should be considered if conservative measures fail after three months, or if there is severe damage to the biceps tendon.
At Monarch Physiotherapy Clinic, we diagnose and treat Bicipital tendinopathy effectively, giving the patient relief and restoration of function of the affected shoulder. Our team at Monarch Physiotherapy Clinic in Calgary has effectively helped several patients with Bicipital tendinopathy.
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