What is Bicipital tendinopathy?
Inflammation of long head of biceps. This injury is usually accompanied by shoulder instability, impingement or tears. It’s also associated with degenerative changes and loss of elasticity, alteration in frequency and intensity of training. The bicep tendon acts as stabiliser to the anterior rotator cuff and affects the position of the humerus. It decelerates elbow extension and instability places more stress on the tendon. It’s common in the 18-25 age group involved in sports or over 60. Thickening of coracoacromial ligament, impingement, rotator cuff tears, overuse and repetitive micro trauma lead to inflammation, degeneration and weakness.
WHAT CAN CAUSE BICIPITAL TENDINOPATHY?
You are more susceptible if you do the following sports: canoe, rowing, weightlifting, swimming, javelin, wrestling, golf, tennis, badminton, squash.
COMMOM BIVIPITAL TENDINOPATHY SYMPTOMS
- Onset is usually gradual
- Deep throbbing pain worse for lifting
- Tenderness over anterior upper arm and shoulder
- Creaking at front of shoulder during elbow flexion and extension
- Pain at night sleeping on affected side
- Pain with overhead activities
- Clicking or popping
TREATMENTS
Medical management
Anti inflammatories. If unsuccessful steroid injection for pain or corticosteroid along tendon sheath, ultrasound or MRI and surgery as last resort.
Other
Aim: unload tendon then reload
- Therapeutic ultrasound
- Massage
- Allow tissue healing and pain free movement
- Address scapulothoracic rhythm
- Avoid overhead in early stage
- Stretch and strength
- Scapula stabiliser work for rotator cuff and bicep tendon
BICIPITAL TENDINOPATHY TIMELINE
You can resume activities when symptoms have disappeared. It’s advisable to try conservative treatment for 3 months before moving to the next stage. Your response will be reassessed at follow up appointments.
We can help you!
DIAGNOSE
CONDITIONS
TREATMENTS
Treatments that can help
Here are some treatments that could help with bicipital tendinopathy:
- Massage (Soft Tissue)
Help decompress the nerve impingement due to tight muscles - Osteopathy
Helps restore normal movement due to misalignment and decompress nerve impingement - Sports Therapy
Helps stabilise weak areas and restore normal movement - Acupuncture
Helps to loosen up the tissue decompress the nerve impingement in tight muscles
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Here are some therapist that could help with bicipital tendinopathy:
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