Bicep Tendonitis

Located on the front of your upper arms, your biceps are composed of two muscles — a “long head” muscle and a “short head” muscle — that work as one. The proximal biceps tendon connects from the inside of the shoulder joint to the biceps muscle. The distal biceps tendon attaches the muscle to your radius (forearm bone). Inflammation or irritation of the bicep tendons is call bicep tendinitis.

Symptoms of Bicep Tendinitis

You may need to see a bicep tendinitis doctor in NYC if you experience a deep, throbbing pain in your shoulder joint that does not go away with home treatments. Bicep tendinitis pain often worsens if you move the shoulder, or you may hear a clicking noise and experience pain if you move your shoulder. Be aware that bicep tendinitis can be accompanied by a rotator cuff tear or superior labrum anterior to posterior lesions (SLAP), which may also require treatment.

Causes of Bicep Tendinitis

Performing repetitive overhead motions, sports activities such as baseball, tennis or swimming and simple overuse/wear and tear are the primary causes of bicep tendonitis. Shoulder joint trauma or arthritis may also contribute to the development of bicep tendinitis.

How Does a Bicep Tendinitis Doctor in Jersey City Diagnose the Condition?

Your doctor may have you complete several clinical tests to determine if you are suffering from bicep tendinitis. For example, Speed’s Test and Yergason’s Test. For an accurate diagnosis, diagnostic imaging with ultrasound and MRI scan is performed.

Treating Bicep Tendinitis

Conservative management prescribed by a bicep tendinitis doctor in Jersey City includes resting the arm and shoulder, applying ice, taking NSAIDs for pain and possibly using corticosteroid injections to help minimize inflammation.

If these treatment methods fail to resolve bicep tendinitis after several months, a bicep tendinitis surgeon in NYC can remove inflammatory tissue within the tendon. During bicep tendinitis surgery, your doctor will also inspect the bicep tendon for tears. If found, these tears may be repaired. Sometimes, a tendon may need to be transplanted from the interior of the shoulder to an external location (tenotomy/tenodesis). Both non-surgical and surgical treatments for bicep tendinitis can be very effective.