eMedicine Specialties > Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation > Upper Limb Musculoskeletal Conditions

Biceps Tendinopathy: Follow-up

Author: Peter Gonzalez, MD, Instructor, Spine and Sports Fellow, Department of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation, University of Colorado Health Sciences Center
Coauthor(s): William J Sullivan, MD, Assistant Professor, Pain Medicine Fellowship Director, Director of Medical Student Education, Department of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation, University of Colorado at Denver Health Sciences Center; Keith AJ Sequeira, MD, Associate Director of Spinal Cord Medicine, Assistant Professor, Department of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation, Parkwood Hospital, University of Western Ontario; Patrick J Potter, BSc, MD, FRCP(C), Associate Professor, Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation, The University of Western Ontario; Consulting Staff, Department of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation, St Joseph's Health Care Centre
Contributor Information and Disclosures

Updated: Nov 14, 2008

Follow-up

Deterrence/Prevention:

  • Modify risk factors where possible.
  • Strengthen muscles concentrically and eccentrically prior to a return to full activity.
  • Perform sport-specific or work-specific training prior to returning to work or sports activity.

Complications:

  • Biceps rupture - The long head of the biceps is vulnerable to rupture.

Prognosis:

  • Full recovery and a return to work/sports are expected with 6-8 weeks.

Patient Education:

  • Educate the patient about using proper body mechanics to prevent recurrent injury (eg, pitching techniques, lifting techniques). Advocate regular stretching before and after exercise.
  • For excellent patient education resources, visit eMedicine's Arthritis Center and Breaks, Fractures, and Dislocations Center. Also, see eMedicine's patient education article Tendinitis.

Miscellaneous

Medicolegal Pitfalls

  • Incorrect diagnosis
  • Rupture of the long head of the biceps due to weakening caused by corticosteroid injection

Special Concerns

  • Avoid injection of corticosteroid directly into the biceps tendon, because this may cause tendon weakening and subsequent rupture. Instead, inject only into the tendon sheath.
 


More on Biceps Tendinopathy

Overview: Biceps Tendinopathy
Differential Diagnoses & Workup: Biceps Tendinopathy
Treatment & Medication: Biceps Tendinopathy
Follow-up: Biceps Tendinopathy
Multimedia: Biceps Tendinopathy
References
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References

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Further Reading

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Keywords

biceps tendinopathy, biceps, bicep, tendinopathy, tendonitis, tendinitis, biceps tendon, biceps tendinitis, biceps tendonitis, bicep tendinitis, bicep tendonitis, shoulder impingement, impingement syndrome, biceps tendinosis, bicipital tenosynovitis, bicipital tendinitis, bicipital tendonitis, bicipital tendinopathy, biceps pain

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Contributor Information and Disclosures

Author

Peter Gonzalez, MD, Instructor, Spine and Sports Fellow, Department of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation, University of Colorado Health Sciences Center
Peter Gonzalez, MD is a member of the following medical societies: American Academy of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation, North American Spine Society, and Physiatric Association of Spine, Sports and Occupational Rehabilitation
Disclosure: Nothing to disclose.

Coauthor(s)

William J Sullivan, MD, Assistant Professor, Pain Medicine Fellowship Director, Director of Medical Student Education, Department of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation, University of Colorado at Denver Health Sciences Center
William J Sullivan, MD is a member of the following medical societies: American Academy of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation, American College of Sports Medicine, International Spine Intervention Society, North American Spine Society, and Physiatric Association of Spine, Sports and Occupational Rehabilitation
Disclosure: Nothing to disclose.

Keith AJ Sequeira, MD, Associate Director of Spinal Cord Medicine, Assistant Professor, Department of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation, Parkwood Hospital, University of Western Ontario
Disclosure: Nothing to disclose.

Patrick J Potter, BSc, MD, FRCP(C), Associate Professor, Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation, The University of Western Ontario; Consulting Staff, Department of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation, St Joseph's Health Care Centre
Patrick J Potter, BSc, MD, FRCP(C) is a member of the following medical societies: American Paraplegia Society, Canadian Association of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation, Canadian Medical Association, College of Physicians and Surgeons of Ontario, Ontario Medical Association, and Royal College of Physicians and Surgeons of Canada
Disclosure: Nothing to disclose.

Medical Editor

Robert J Kaplan, MD, Associate Professor, Department of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation, University of Kansas School of Medicine and Medical Center
Robert J Kaplan, MD is a member of the following medical societies: American Academy of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation, American Association of Neuromuscular and Electrodiagnostic Medicine, Association of Academic Physiatrists, International Spine Intervention Society, and Physiatric Association of Spine, Sports and Occupational Rehabilitation
Disclosure: Nothing to disclose.

Pharmacy Editor

Francisco Talavera, PharmD, PhD, Senior Pharmacy Editor, eMedicine
Disclosure: Nothing to disclose.

Managing Editor

Patrick M Foye, MD, FAAPMR, FAAEM, Associate Professor of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation, Co-Director of Musculoskeletal Fellowship, Co-Director of Back Pain Clinic, Director of Coccyx Pain (Tailbone Pain, Coccydynia) Service, University of Medicine and Dentistry of New Jersey, New Jersey Medical School
Patrick M Foye, MD, FAAPMR, FAAEM is a member of the following medical societies: American Academy of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation, American Association of Neuromuscular and Electrodiagnostic Medicine, Association of Academic Physiatrists, and International Spine Intervention Society
Disclosure: Nothing to disclose.

CME Editor

Kelly L Allen, MD, Regional Medical Director, IMX-Medical Management Services
Disclosure: Nothing to disclose.

Chief Editor

Robert H Meier III, MD, Director, Amputee Services of America; Active Medical Staff, Presbyterian/St Luke's Hospital, Spalding Rehabilitation Hospital, Select Specialty Hospital; Consulting Staff, Kindred Hospital
Robert H Meier III, MD is a member of the following medical societies: American Academy of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation and Association of Academic Physiatrists
Disclosure: Nothing to disclose.

 
 
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