Bicep Tendonitis, Bicep Strain

Bicep tendonitis is a term for painful inflammation of the tendon connecting the bicep muscle to the shoulder. Symptoms include an extremely piercing pain, a shooting or burning pain at the front of the shoulder, especially when you move your arm forward over shoulder height, or during an activity like throwing something. The bicep muscle is in the front part of the upper arm, the bicep tendons connect this muscle to the elbow and at two points on the shoulder. The degree of injury ranges from an irritated tendon to a tear or even a complete rupture of the tendon. Bicep tendonitis is not as common as achilles or supraspinatus, though it is prevalent among weightlifting sports.

Bicep Tendonitis is should not be left untreated as it can degenerate and become more difficult to treat. When treating the bicep tendon(s), rest the area (meaning do NOT workout this area other than stretching), apply ice for 10-20 minutes at a time for at least 3 times a day. Do this to the injured area for the first day to 3 days. Moist heat may be used after the acute swelling is improved and rest prevents further muscle injury. Ultrasound and ice will reduces initial inflammation and swelling and will circulate blood through the area to speed the healing process. If the patient gradually starting flexing and mobilising the area, the muscle would probably heal very well.

However, this is not what typical person does; they may ice once or twice and rest a bit, but most often just take some Advil or Tylenol and continue to commence their workouts. If the strain was minor, their body may be able to heal the muscle fibers normally. Unfortunately, this is not the usual result because the injured muscle is being used instead of rested. Because of the stress on the muscle, their body heals the injured muscle fibers by binding them together with fibrotic adhesions or scar tissue. This is done in an attempt to prevent further damage to the injured area. It is a normal protective response of their body.

To prevent this the patient should apply ultrasound treatment on the area up to three times daily. Ultrasonic energy will naturally "work" the tendon, increasing its flexibily while softening and breaking down scar tissue - which is not something you want in your tendon. Scar tissue is inflexible (non-elastic), and can quickly lead to reinjury of the tendon later down the road.