Biceps Tendinopathy Follow-up
- Author: Peter Gonzalez, MD; Chief Editor: Robert H Meier III, MD more...
Deterrence
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.
Barber DB, Janus RB, Wade WH. Neuroarthropathy: an overuse injury of the shoulder in quadriplegia. J Spinal Cord Med. Jan 1996;19(1):9-11. [Medline].
Curtis AS, Snyder SJ. Evaluation and treatment of biceps tendon pathology. Orthop Clin North Am. Jan 1993;24(1):33-43. [Medline].
Ahrens PM, Boileau P. The long head of biceps and associated tendinopathy. J Bone Joint Surg Br. Aug 2007;89(8):1001-9. [Medline].
Rees JD, Wilson AM, Wolman RL. Current concepts in the management of tendon disorders. Rheumatology (Oxford). May 2006;45(5):508-21. [Medline]. [Full Text].
Longo UG, Loppini M, Marineo G, Khan WS, Maffulli N, Denaro V. Tendinopathy of the tendon of the long head of the biceps. Sports Med Arthrosc. Dec 2011;19(4):321-32. [Medline].
Elser F, Braun S, Dewing CB, Giphart JE, Millett PJ. Anatomy, function, injuries, and treatment of the long head of the biceps brachii tendon. Arthroscopy. Apr 2011;27(4):581-92. [Medline].
Bicos J. Biomechanics and anatomy of the proximal biceps tendon. Sports Med Arthrosc. Sep 2008;16(3):111-7. [Medline].
Smith DL, Campbell SM. Painful shoulder syndromes: diagnosis and management. J Gen Intern Med. May-Jun 1992;7(3):328-39. [Medline].
Larson HM, O'Connor FG, Nirschl RP. Shoulder pain: the role of diagnostic injections. Am Fam Physician. Apr 1996;53(5):1637-47. [Medline].
Fisk C. Adaptation of the technique for radiography of the bicipital groove. Radiol Technol. Sep 1965;37:47-50. [Medline].
Armstrong A, Teefey SA, Wu T, et al. The efficacy of ultrasound in the diagnosis of long head of the biceps tendon pathology. J Shoulder Elbow Surg. Jan-Feb 2006;15(1):7-11. [Medline].
Farin PU. Sonography of the biceps tendon of the shoulder: normal and pathologic findings. J Clin Ultrasound. Jul-Aug 1996;24(6):309-16. [Medline].
Kolla S, Motamedi K. Ultrasound evaluation of the shoulder. Semin Musculoskelet Radiol. Jun 2007;11(2):117-25. [Medline].
Friedman DJ, Dunn JC, Higgins LD, et al. Proximal biceps tendon: injuries and management. Sports Med Arthrosc. Sep 2008;16(3):162-9. [Medline].
Szabó I, Boileau P, Walch G. The proximal biceps as a pain generator and results of tenotomy. Sports Med Arthrosc. Sep 2008;16(3):180-6. [Medline].
Longo UG, Garau G, Denaro V, et al. Surgical management of tendinopathy of biceps femoris tendon in athletes. Disabil Rehabil. Apr 30 2008;1-6. [Medline].
Zhang J, Ebraheim N, Lause GE. Ultrasound-guided injection for the biceps brachii tendinitis: results and experience. Ultrasound Med Biol. May 2011;37(5):729-33. [Medline].
Wober W, Rahlfs VW, Buchl N, et al. Comparative efficacy and safety of the non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs nimesulide and diclofenac in patients with acute subdeltoid bursitis and bicipital tendinitis. Int J Clin Pract. Apr-May 1998;52(3):169-75. [Medline].
Agur AM. Grant's Atlas of Anatomy. 9th ed. Baltimore, Md: Williams & Wilkins; 1991:408.
Andrews J. Physical Rehabilitation of the Injured Athlete. 2nd ed. Philadelphia, Pa: WB Saunders; 1998:478-573.
Brotzman S. Clinical Orthopaedic Rehabilitation. St Louis, Mo: Mosby; 1996:82, 95.
Cailliet R. Shoulder Pain. Philadelphia, Pa: FA Davis; 1991:3, 4, 46-50, 114-6.
Frontera WR, Silver JK. Essentials of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation. Philadelphia, Pa: Hanley & Belfus; 2002:67-71.
Jenkins D. Hollinshead's Functional Anatomy of the Limbs and Back. Philadelphia, Pa: WB Saunders; 1991:110-1, 115-6, 149, 150.
Mellion M. Sports Medicine Secrets. St Louis, Mo: Hanley, Belfus and Mosby; 1990:244-9.
Pfahler M, Branner S, Refior HJ. The role of the bicipital groove in tendopathy of the long biceps tendon. J Shoulder Elbow Surg. Sep-Oct 1999;8(5):419-24. [Medline].
Sethi N, Wright R, Yamaguchi K. Disorders of the long head of the biceps tendon. J Shoulder Elbow Surg. Nov-Dec 1999;8(6):644-54. [Medline].
Travel J, Simons D, Simons L. Myofascial Pain and Dysfunction. 2nd ed. Baltimore, Md: Williams & Wilkins; 1999:649-58.
Veldman PH, Goris RJ. Shoulder complaints in patients with reflex sympathetic dystrophy of the upper extremity. Arch Phys Med Rehabil. Mar 1995;76(3):239-42. [Medline].

