Bicipital Tendonitis Clinical Presentation

Updated: Nov 07, 2023
  • Author: Britt A Durham, MD; Chief Editor: Sherwin SW Ho, MD  more...
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Presentation

History

Patients typically complain of achy anterior shoulder pain, which is exacerbated by lifting or elevated pushing or pulling. A typical complaint is pain with overhead activity or with lifting heavy objects.

Pain may be localized in a vertical line along the anterior humerus, which worsens with movement. Often, however, the location of the pain is vague, and symptoms may improve with rest.

Most patients with bicipital tendinitis have not sustained an acute traumatic injury. However, partial traumatic biceps tendon ruptures have been described and may occur in combination with underlying tendinitis. Individuals with rupture of the long head of the biceps tendon may report a sudden and painful popping sensation. The retracted muscle belly bulges over the anterior upper arm, which is commonly described as the "Popeye" deformity. In patients without acute traumatic injuries, the biceps tendon rupture is usually preceded by a history of shoulder pain that quickly resolves after a painful audible snap occurs.

Occasionally, shoulder instability and subluxation can be associated with biceps degeneration from chronic tendinitis, resulting in a palpable snap in a painful arc of motion that is seen in throwing athletes. Superior labral tears (superior labrum anterior and posterior [SLAP] lesions) may have similar findings, but these injuries are more prone to locking or catching symptoms. [15]

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Physical Examination

Local tenderness is usually present over the bicipital groove, which is typically located 3 inches below the anterior acromion. The tenderness may be localized best with the arm in 10 º of external rotation.

Flexion of the elbow against resistance aggravates the patient's pain.

Passive abduction of the arm in an arc maneuver may elicit pain that is typical of impingement syndrome; however, this finding may be negative in cases of isolated bicipital tendinitis.

Speed test: The patient complains of anterior shoulder pain with flexion of the shoulder against resistance, while the elbow is extended and the forearm is supinated.

Yergason test: The patient complains of pain and tenderness over the bicipital groove with forearm supination against resistance, with the elbow flexed and the shoulder in adduction. Popping of subluxation of the biceps tendon may be demonstrated with this maneuver.

The remainder of the examination should include evaluation and documentation of active and passive range of motion (ROM) and joint stability in order to assess the rotator cuff and glenoid labrum. A complete evaluation includes a complete neurovascular assessment.

Bicipital tendinitis with labral tears or rotator cuff tears may not improve if all the conditions are not treated.

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