Biceps Tendon Injuries

What and where is the biceps tendon?

The biceps muscle (biceps brachii) is a muscle found on the front portion of the upper arm between the elbow and the shoulder. This muscle is composed of two heads that originate near the shoulder which come together into a common tendon that ends just past the elbow joint. The two biceps heads are connected to the shoulder by two tendons known as the long and short head biceps tendons. The lower (distal) section of the biceps muscle is anchored to the elbow by the distal biceps tendon These tendons are tough, fibrous tissues that anchor the muscle and allow for bending the elbow, rotating the lower arm (like a screwdriver torquing motion), and other movements of the arm.

What type of injuries occur with the biceps tendon?

Biceps tendon injuries are fairly common and may occur after frequent, repetitive motions, heavy lifting, or other trauma or overuse to the tendons. Biceps tendonitis, or inflammation of the tendon, and either partial or complete biceps tears are some of the more common types of injuries that a patient may experience within the shoulder or elbow. Dr. Joseph Lamplot, orthopedic shoulder surgeon, treats patients in Arlington Heights, Kildeer, Lake Zurich, Barrington, and the surrounding Northwest Suburbs of Chicago, IL, who have experienced a biceps tendon injury.

How is the biceps injured at the shoulder?

The long head of the biceps tendon is more commonly injured than the short head and may result from repetitive overhead movements such as those performed by athletes and manual laborers. Biceps tendonitis is a type of biceps tendon injury that occurs after these types of activities and may result in pain and irritation along the front part of the shoulder. The long head biceps tendon is most commonly affected by tendonitis and may occur at the same time as other shoulder injuries, such as a rotator cuff injury.

What causes a biceps tendon injury at the elbow?

A common cause of a biceps tendon injury at the elbow is a distal biceps tendon tear. This commonly occurs after lifting or moving heavy objects such as furniture, high energy falls directly onto the hand, or forceful twisting motions of the elbow. This type of tear may be a complete tear or partial tear and can cause weakness, pain, and deformity of the biceps muscle.

What are the most common symptoms of a biceps tendon injury?

• Dull, aching pain, or soreness (tendonitis or partial tear)
• Sharp, stabbing pain in the shoulder or elbow (tendonitis or partial tear)
• Abnormal bulge (pop-eye muscle) in the upper part of the arm (tear injury)
• Bruising on the upper arm near the shoulder or near the elbow (most often tear injury)
• Weakness of the hand, arm, or shoulder
• Difficulty moving or rotating the forearm

How are biceps tendon injuries treated?

Non-Surgical:

• Pain management with Nonsteroidal Anti-inflammatory medications (NSAIDs)
• Rest, ice, compression, and elevation of the affected area
• Individually tailored physical therapy
• Corticosteroid injections to alleviate pain and swelling (upper biceps only)

Surgical:

Depending on the specific injury, location, and severity of the biceps tendon injury, Dr. Lamplot may use one of the following surgical techniques:

• Biceps Tenodesis: a surgical procedure where Dr. Lamplot will remove damaged tissue of the biceps tendon and reattach the healthy tissue to the bone in the upper arm. Biceps tenodesis is often done in conjunction with a rotator cuff repair.
• Distal Biceps Tendon Repair: a procedure where a small incision will be made near the elbow to remove the damaged section of the tendon. The remaining tendon will also be repaired and/or reattached to return normal function to the arm.

Biceps Tendon Injury Specialist