Bicep tendonitis is quite common, with some of the members of DB already having the misfortune of suffering from it. For those who dont know what it is, and for those who think they might have it, here is some info about it. As with everything else, this does not replace your doctors orders. This is merely some information to help you understand what caused/causes the injury and give u a general idea of how its managed and treated. What is bicep tendonitis? Biceps tendonitis, also called bicipital tendonitis, is a general term used to describe inflammation, pain, or tenderness in the region of the biceps tendon in the front part of the shoulder or upper arm.. Biceps tendinitis rarely occurs alone, but rather is typically associated with rotator cuff pathology and impingement.
What causes biceps tendonitis? 1) Repetitive overuse
2) Multidirectional instability
3) Calcifications into the tendon
4) Direct trauma
Injury or compromise of a single muscle of the dynamic shoulder stabilizers can adversely affect other muscles and impair function of the entire joint.
What are the symptoms?
- Pain in the front of your shoulder 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.
- Often, pain will also at night
- Difficulty with lifting and carrying things (e.g. groceries, garbage bags)
Athletics that involve the affected arm may be curtailed, such as swimming, tennis, and throwing sports.
How is it diagnosed? Your doctor will examine your arm and shoulder for tenderness along the biceps muscle and biceps tendons. He/She may then order some tests such as X-rays or MRI or ultrasound. Surgery is generally not needed for biceps tendinitis.
When can I return to my sport or activity? If you return too soon you may worsen your injury, which could lead to permanent damage. Everyone recovers from injury at a different rate – This depends on how soon your shoulder recovers, not by how many days or weeks it has been since your injury occurred. In general, the longer you have symptoms before you start treatment, the longer it will take to get better.
In throwing sports, you must gradually rebuild your tolerance to throwing. This means you should start with gentle tossing and gradually throw harder. In contact sports, your shoulder must not be tender to touch and contact should progress from minimal contact to harder contact.
How is it treated? - Treatment of biceps tendinitis involves activity modification, anti-inflammatory measures, heat and cold modalities, and a therapeutic exercise program for promoting strength and flexibility of the dynamic shoulder stabilizers.
- Overhead activities and lifting are to be avoided initially.
- Shoulder stretching is helpful to maintain range of motion and flexibility.
- Ice packs for 20 to 30 minutes every 4 hours for 2 or 3 days or until the pain goes away. Ice is also helpful after exercise for minimizing pain.
- Taking anti-inflammatory medication (prescribed by doctor)
- Might need to get an corticosteroid injection from the doctor to reduce inflammation and pain
- Rehabilitation exercises.
Rehabilitation Rehabilitation for biceps tendinitis is similar to that of rotator cuff tendonitis. Since biceps tendinitis rarely occurs in isolation, it is important to rehabilitate the shoulder as well. Progressive resistance exercises are utilized to strengthen the dynamic shoulder stabilizers. Athletes are returned to play gradually when pain is minimal or absent.
Biceps Tendonitis Rehabilitation Exercises Elbow range of motion: Gently bring your palm up toward your shoulder and bend your elbow as far as you can. Then straighten your elbow as far as you can 10 times. Do 3 sets of 10.
Pronation and supination of the forearm: With your elbow bent 90°, turn your palm upward and hold for 5 seconds. Slowly turn your palm downward and hold for 5 seconds. Make sure you keep your elbow at your side and bent 90° throughout this exercise. Do 3 sets of 10.
Biceps curls: Stand and hold some kind of weight (soup can or hammer) in your hand. Bend your elbow and bring your hand (palm up) toward your shoulder. Hold 5 seconds. Slowly return to your starting position and straighten your elbow. Do 3 sets of 10.
Forearm pronation and supination strengthening: Hold a soup can or hammer handle in your hand and bend your elbow 90°. Slowly rotate your hand with your palm upward and then palm down. Do 3 sets of 10.
Biceps stretch: Stand facing a wall (about 6 inches away from the wall). Raise your arm out to your side and place the thumb side of your hand against the wall (palm down). Keep your elbow straight. Rotate your body in the opposite direction of the raised arm until you feel a stretch in your biceps. Hold 15 seconds, repeat 3 times.
Single arm shoulder flexion: Stand with your injured arm hanging down at your side. Keeping your elbow straight, bring your arm forward and up toward the ceiling. Hold this position for 5 seconds. Do 3 sets of 10. As this exercise becomes easier, add a weight.
<message edited by Lynx100 on Sunday, May 01, 2005 6:19 PM>